The Constitution has expired — we should write a new one
Key takeaways
- (AP Photo/Richard Drew, File) Writing in the Jesuit publication America, Vincent Rougeau, president of the College of the Holy Cross, argues that the U.S.
- As Rougeau points out, changing the outdated Constitution to meet the needs of the 21st century is nearly impossible.
- Supreme Court, the surest means to overturn them is by constitutional amendment.
Why this matters: political developments that affect policy direction and public trust.
Constitution, Sept. 17, 2021. (AP Photo/Richard Drew, File) Writing in the Jesuit publication America, Vincent Rougeau, president of the College of the Holy Cross, argues that the U.S. Constitution is past its sell-by date.
As Rougeau points out, changing the outdated Constitution to meet the needs of the 21st century is nearly impossible. Only 27 amendments have been appended to the Constitution, the last being approved 34 years ago.
Given recent controversial rulings by the U.S. Supreme Court, the surest means to overturn them is by constitutional amendment. An amendment could void the court s decision to eviscerate the 1965 Voting Rights Act and ensure minority representation in Congress. Likewise, overturning Citizens United, which has unleashed a torrent of money into the political system, reversing the Dobbs decision and restoring abortion rights or undoing the court s ruling in Trump v. U.S. and subjecting presidents to prosecution for illegal acts in office, could all be done via amendments.