KQED's Forum Historian Jill Lepore on Amending the Constitution And Rep. Peter Aguilar on the Shutdown
Oct 15, 2025
Historian Jill Lepore delves into the complexities of amending the U.S. Constitution, arguing that a lack of amendments has led to undemocratic elements like the Electoral College. She discusses historical contexts that made amendment rarer and the implications of an 'unamendable' Constitution. Meanwhile, Rep. Pete Aguilar addresses the ongoing government shutdown, holding Republicans accountable while expressing commitment to federal workers. He emphasizes the potential impact of healthcare cuts on his constituents and outlines Democratic strategies for the upcoming elections.
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Written Constitutions Need Amendment Paths
- The Constitution was written so it could be changed over time to avoid becoming fixed and brittle.
- Article V created amendment mechanisms because written charters need formal paths for evolution.
Article V's High Bar Became Harder Over Time
- Article V requires a two-thirds congressional supermajority and three-quarters of states to ratify, making national amendments hard.
- Framers eased unanimity to two-thirds, but parties later made amendment far more difficult.
National Versus State Amendment Rates
- The U.S. Constitution is among the world's hardest to amend and one of the least amended.
- By contrast, state constitutions are amended frequently, showing very different amendment norms.
