The Oklahoma House has passed legislation calling for Congress to call a convention to consider adding a balanced budget amendment to the U.S. constitution.

House members voted 57-33 Monday for the bill and sent it to the Senate to consider House amendments. The House defeated similar legislation last year.

A total of 27 states have petitioned Congress for a convention on a balanced budget amendment. The constitution requires two-thirds of the 50 states, or 34, to request a convention.

Republican Rep. Gary Banz of Midwest City authored the bill and says Congress has been unresponsive to demands it curtail federal spending and reduce the nation's $19.2 trillion debt.
Opponents say a convention could lead to a runaway convention and limits on individual freedoms.