It does have some merit, though I think the method as laid out in the constitution does explicitly say that bills have to pass both chambers, so it might require some sort of framing resolution.
If we are going to go down the path of reforming the Constitution, then I would look to other parliaments to see how a bicameral system could be implemented. The model I think would work best would be to make the Senate more akin to the House of Lords in the UK, or the Bundesrat in Germany. My suggestion:
- All legislation originates and is deliberated in the House.
- The Senate must then deliberate and can vote to approve or to reject the bill. Failure to vote within a set time is considered a tacit approval, and moves on to be signed by the president
Senators are no longer elected, but are appointed by the governors and legislatures of the state, and may be recalled at any time. Note: I am not so sure about this idea, to be honest, but I do think the Senate should be explicitly representatives of the states as discrete identities, and the House represent the people as a whole.- Edit: I just thought of another thing to add: territories also get representatives, and districts are no longer drawn by the states. Congressional districts can cross state lines. As for the Senate, I would toss out my earlier idea, and instead allow the election of two senators to represent all US citizens not living in a state — that is, all those living in territories as well as expatriates. Expatriate citizens also no longer vote in the last state they lived in, but are counted as living in a unique district (or districts, if there are enough of them).
