TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — The Kansas House has rejected a measure aimed at calling a convention of the states to propose changes in the U.S. constitution.

The vote Monday was 77-47 for a resolution pushed by conservative Republicans unhappy with the federal government’s reach. But supporters needed a two-thirds majority of 84 votes in the 125-member chamber.

Supporters said a convention could propose ideas for lessening the federal government’s power. The resolution decried the federal debt.

Critics questioned whether a convention’s scope could be limited.

The U.S. Constitution says Congress must call a convention if it gets applications from two-thirds of the states, or 34.

Any proposal approved by such a convention must be ratified by legislators in three-quarters of the states, or 38.

Lawmakers in five other states have approved the same resolution.