Texas Governor Greg Abbott ordered the arrest of Democratic lawmakers who left the state to block a controversial vote on new congressional maps.

"Texas House Democrats abandoned their duty to Texans," Abbott said in a statement Monday.

"I ordered the Texas Department of Public Safety to locate, arrest, and return to the House chamber any member who has abandoned their duty to Texans."

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, who is running for the Republican nomination for US Senate, said he supported the speedy arrest of "jet-setting runaways" who left the state during the legislative session.