Judge blocks Beto O'Rourke from providing financial support to Texas Democrats who fled state over redistricting

A Texas district judge on Friday temporarily barred former Rep. Beto O'Rourke and his political group from helping to fund the Democratic legislators who have left the state to prevent Republicans from pressing forward with a redistricting plan aimed at expanding the GOP's narrow majority in the U.S. House.

The ruling is a victory, albeit potentially a temporary one, for Republican Attorney General Ken Paxton, who sought the temporary restraining order accusing O'Rourke and his group of a bribery scheme, accusations the Democrat has vigorously denied. And it could deal a significant financial blow to the state Democratic lawmakers, who are facing financial penalties and other costs related to their "quorum break."