As America turns 250, Bay Area leaders say democracy's story isn't finished: 'We have to go forward'

SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) -- As the United States marks 250 years since declaring its independence, Americans are celebrating a milestone while also grappling with uncertainty about the country's future.

A recent Reuters/Ipsos poll found nearly two-thirds of Americans believe U.S. democracy is at risk, underscoring the deep political divisions and institutional distrust that have defined much of the nation's recent history.

The question hanging over this Fourth of July is one that reaches beyond fireworks and parades: Is the American experiment still working?

For several Bay Area members of Congress, the answer begins with history.

In a Saturday interview with ABC7, Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi emphasized the importance of how the founders designed the U.S. Constitution.

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"Thank God they made it amendable -- abolition of slavery, Black men having the right to vote. Women having the right to vote, and so on," she said.

The Constitution has been amended 27 times since it was ratified in 1788, reflecting generations of political compromise, reform and expansion of civil rights.

Pelosi acknowledged the current political climate is challenging, but said dwelling on division risks overlooking the country's capacity to move forward.

"I know that it's a difficult time. I know probably as well as anybody how difficult it is," Pelosi said. "But again, we can't just dwell on that. We have to go forward."

As she prepares to leave Congress after nearly four decades in office, the former House speaker said her optimism comes not from political leaders, but from Americans themselves.

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"Our founders believed that democracy could succeed because they believed in the goodness of the American people," she said.

Congressman Ro Khanna echoed that sentiment, arguing the nation's history is defined by periods of crisis followed by renewal.

"I love this country. I believe in this country," Khanna said. "I was born in our bicentennial in 1976, in Philadelphia."

Khanna pointed to transformative moments in American history as evidence the country has repeatedly reinvented itself.

"After the Civil War, we passed the 13th, 14th, 15th amendment. After Hoover, we had FDR," he said.

Khanna, who is widely viewed as a potential contender in the 2028 Democratic presidential primary, said today's affordability challenges have left many younger Americans questioning whether they'll achieve the same opportunities as previous generations.

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"I understand we're going through tough times. I understand, for many young people, their life will have no resemblance to their parents and grandparents," Khanna said. "But this country has a remarkable capacity for self-correction."

The theme of democracy's resilience also surfaced Monday during a ceremony in San Francisco renaming the city's federal building after the late Senator Dianne Feinstein.

Calling Feinstein "one of the most consequential public servants in our nation's history," U.S. Senator Alex Padilla said the former senator's career serves as a reminder that democracy requires constant participation.

"Our fundamental rights, other liberties that we've achieved over time, are never permanent and must be defended by every generation and built upon by every generation," Padilla said.

Outside the halls of government, many Americans expressed similar hopes while gathering to watch the U.S. Men's National Team compete in the FIFA World Cup on Wednesday.

"I think the World Cup has united us as a whole," one fan said.

For active-duty Army member Ian Cabrera, patriotism means finding common ground despite political disagreements.

"Everyone celebrating America and everyone being united despite everything that's going on right now," Cabrera said. "At the end of the day we're all Americans, right? We all need to be there for each other."

While opinions about the country's direction vary widely, the conversations shared one common thread: a belief that America's story is still unfolding.