Texas Republicans on Friday sought to increase the pressure on more than 50 Democratic lawmakers who left the state to prevent a vote on a new congressional map, announcing that absent state House members can only collect paychecks by appearing in person.

Texas Democrats again defied Republican Gov. Greg Abbott and the state GOP and did not show up Friday for a vote on a controversial redistricting plan proposed by Republicans. The GOP-proposed new congressional maps that would give Republicans more seats in Congress -- potentially allowing the GOP to keep control of the U.

These cowards deliberately sabotaged the constitutional process and violated the oath they swore to uphold,” Paxton said in a statement.