The warrants apply only within state lines, making them largely symbolic as most of the legislators in question decamped to Illinois, New York and Massachusetts.

When Republicans gained complete control of the Texas Senate and House in 2002, Sugar Land Rep. and House Majority Leader Tom DeLay started pushing for congressional redistricting that would improve the Texas Republican presence in Washington.

Texas Governor Greg Abbott threatened on Monday to arrest Democratic lawmakers who are using their collective absence from the state capital to prevent the legislature from adopting a Republican-backed plan for redrawing Texas congressional districts.