AUSTIN, Texas — Ken Paxton is asking that California law enforcement officers be allowed to arrest Texas House Democrats who are staying in the state, according to a lawsuit the attorney general filed Friday.

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

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton is asking a California court to recognize civil warrants issued in Texas calling for the arrest and return of House Democrats that left the state to break quorum and prevent a vote on redrawn congressional maps.