Washington, July 14 (TIWN) Democrats from the US state of Texas have defied threats of arrest after fleeing the state in an effort to stop Republicans from passing a sweeping new voting law.

At least two-thirds of the chamber's 150 members must be present for a vote.

On Tuesday, Republican Governor Greg Abbott threatened the missing politicians with arrest.

He said they would be detained "as soon as they come back" to Texas.

"They will be cabined inside the Texas Capitol until they get their job done," he said in an interview with the local television station KVUE ABC.

In Austin, where the Texas State Capitol sits, House Republicans authorised state police to find and bring back the Democrats "under warrant of arrest if necessary".

State police, however, have no jurisdiction outside of Texas.