OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — Oklahoma Gov. Mary Fallin and U.S. Rep. James Lankford are praising a federal appeals court that has declared a portion of the federal health care overhaul law is unconstitutional.

A three-judge panel struck down the so-called individual mandate that requires virtually all Americans to carry health insurance or face penalties. The Supreme Court will likely decide the issue.

Fallin says Oklahomans have made it clear the federal government should not be allowed to force citizens to purchase health insurance.

Lankford says the law far exceeds the boundaries of federal government set out by the U.S. Constitution.

Both Fallin and Lankford are Republicans. The mandate is part of a controversial overhaul Democrats passed last year.