OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — Republican lawmakers in Oklahoma are telling Congress they're ready to support a federal balanced budget amendment.

Oklahoma House leaders said Wednesday that 42 of the state's 149 lawmakers already have signed a letter supporting such an amendment. They sent the letter this week to U.S. congressional sponsors of a federal proposal to amend the U.S. Constitution to include a balanced budget requirement.

Among those signing the letter are House Speaker Kris Steele, Speaker Pro Tem Jeff Hickman and other House leaders. Several state senators also endorsed the plan.

Steele says if given the chance, he's confident Oklahoma would be one of the first states to ratify a constitutional amendment requiring a balanced budget.

Republicans control both chambers of the Legislature in Oklahoma and the governor's office.