FORT WORTH, Texas -- While Texas Senate Democrats remain in New Mexico, their counterparts managed to get some work done in Austin.

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Democrats Call For Debate Democrats In Deja Vu Run

House Republicans were able to achieve a quorum Tuesday, allowing a redistricting bill to be brought up for consideration without going through the usual committee process.

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Passage of the map remains far away from a full vote, especially since 11 Texas Democrat senators say the hospitality in Albuquerque, N.M., suits them just fine.

The Democratic legislators say they'll stay in New Mexico until Republicans and Gov. Rick Perry take the redistricting issue off the table, and said they're prepared to remain out of state up to 30 days, the maximum length of a special session.

Sen. Royce West of Dallas, who spoke with NBC 5's Brian Curtis Tuesday morning, is calling for a debate with Perry over the issue of redistricting.

Redistricting maps have been dubbed "maps to nowhere," though that's not exactly true: they've led Texas Democrats first to Ardmore, Okla., and now to Albuquerque.

"This is not an action we take lightly," Sen. Leticia Van de Putte, D-San Antonio, said.

According to the Democrats, the quick trip came about when they learned Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst planned to do away with a long-standing Senate rule requiring a two-thirds majority to approve any measure, effectively insuring the redistricting map would pass in the second special session.

So, the 11 senators said empty chairs in the upper chamber were the only way they could protect minorities in Texas.

"This is not about Democrats, it's about democracy and civil rights," Van de Putte said. "It amounts to political segregation by map drawing, and it's wrong."

But Republican lawmakers say with the New Mexico road trip, Democrats are turning their backs on a promise to all Texans.

"I think it is absolutely an abdication of their duty. People elect us to work here at the state Capitol to work on legislation. Even if they disagree, they need to be part of the discussion," Sen. Jane Nelson, R-Flower Mound, said.

Dewhurst says he would enlist the Senate sergeant-at-arms and possibly off-duty police officers to retrieve the 11 lawmakers, but acknowledged that Texas authorities likely could not cross state lines.

Meanwhile, New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson is drawing criticism for assigning state police to provide security for the fugitive Democrats.

Bernalillo County Sheriff Darren White says it's inappropriate to ask New Mexico taxpayers to pick up the tab for a political battle.

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