WASHINGTON - All five members of Oklahoma’s Congressional delegation Friday voted in favor of the balanced budget measure that fell short of achieving the two-thirds majority needed to amend the constitution.

U.S. Rep. James Lankford (R-OK5) said he believes the balanced budget amendment must be passed to serve as a mandatory check upon Congress due to what he says is the body’s failure to manage the deficit.

Fourth District Congressman Tom Cole said Congress needs enforceable spending restraints that only a balanced budget amendment would provide. It was the first House vote on a balanced budget amendment since 1995, when the House approved it but the bill fell one vote short in the Senate.