Federal judges ask why they are hearing redistricting issue AMERICAN-STATESMAN STAFF LAREDO -- Three federal judges on Thursday questioned why they should intervene in a state political battle over congressional redistricting. Ten Democratic senators, who had boycotted the Legislature for 45 days, watched as the judges peppered their lawyers with questions about the wisdom of federal courts telling the Texas Senate how to conduct its business. A ruling is not expected until this afternoon, at the earliest. Lawyers for the senators asked the judges to prevent the Senate from debating a new congressional map until the U.S. Justice Department reviews...