WASHINGTON — The Senate this morning rejected a proposal by moderate Democrats to amend the Constitution to require Congress to come up with a balanced budget every year.

The vote for the measure introduced by Mark Udall of Colorado fell far short of the 67 votes, or two-thirds of the chamber, needed to advance a constitutional amendment.

The vote was followed immediately by another vote on a Republican-backed version that was also headed for defeat.

A deal last summer to raise the debt ceiling required that both the House and Senate vote on balanced budget amendments, which many Republicans say is the only way to force Congress to get its fiscal house in order.

The House last month also failed to reach the two-thirds majority on a balanced-budget proposal.