Texas Gov. Greg Abbott Says He'll Defund Legislators' Salaries After Blocking Voting Restrictions Bill
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott speaks at a news conference at the Wimberley Community Center May 25, 2015 in Wimberly, Texas. Abbott toured the damage zone where one person is confirmed dead and at least 12 others missing in flooding along the Rio Blanco, which reports say rose as much as 40 feet in places, caused by more than 10 inches of rain over a four-day period. The governor earlier declared a state of emergency in 24 Texas counties. Drew Anthony Smith/Getty Images

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott has said that he plans to cut off salaries of state lawmakers after House Democrats blocked voting restrictions bill proposed by their Republican counterparts.

A large group of Democrats had walked out of the House chamber in Austin in late Sunday. This prevented a final vote on the proposal.

Senate Bill 7 would aim to cut back polling hours, reduce access to mail-in voting, as well as give more authority to partisan poll-watchers, according to an NPR report.

Voting rights advocates said that the proposal under the measure would make voting more difficult in Texas, adding that it would disproportionately burden people of color.

In a tweet, Abbott said that there would be no pay for those who leave their responsibilities, according to a Texas Tribune report.

Lawmakers' Salaries

Abbott referred to Article X of the budget. This refers to salaries of not only lawmakers and staff but also funds legislative agencies, including the Legislative Budget Board.

The legislative is funded through the end of August. Abbott was pointing out the fiscal year starting September 1.

The Texas Republican governor has until June 20 to carry out the veto.

State lawmakers earn $600 a month or $7,200 annually. In addition, lawmakers get a per diem of $221 for every day that they are in session, covering regular and special sessions.

Abbott's intentions were met with criticism, particularly from the Democratic legislators.

Rep. Donna Howard of Austin said that this would eliminate the branch of government that represents the people. Howard added it basically creates a monarchy.

State Rep. Chris Turner, chair of the House Democratic Caucus, said he and his colleagues will continue their fight.

Turner then called on Congress to pass legislation on the national level that would protect voting, according to an NBC News report.

He noted that they are going to fight Republicans every step of the way and continue to slow down and mitigate the legislation.

Meanwhile, a former Georgia Democratic gubernatorial nominee, Stacey Abrams, congratulated Texas Democrats, activists, and advocates for protecting the freedom to vote until the very last hour.

Abrams noted that this is what happens when they fight.

Senate Bill 7

Aside from limiting access to mail-in voting, the provision would also prohibit Sunday voting before 1 p.m. Critics said that this was an attack on what is commonly known as "souls to the polls."

Democratic state Rep. Nicole Collier, chairwoman of the Texas Legislative Black Caucus, said the change would "disengage, disenfranchise" those who use the so-called souls-to-the-polls opportunity.

Democrats claimed that they were left widely in the dark as last-minute changes and entirely new provisions were pushed through.

Republican state lawmakers claim that the proposal is designed to crack down on vote fraud.

Lawmakers in other states had also launched similar legislation, which was motivated at least in part by former U.S. President Donald Trump's continued claims that the 2020 election was somehow stolen, despite evidence showing the opposite.

WATCH: Gov. Abbott threatens to veto legislative funding after House Democrats walk out on voting bill - from KSAT 12