In a previous letter to the editor, I gave an outline for an expansion of the Senate in two separate chambers in the Upper and Lower Senate, which is deigned to give more representation to states in general and the politically-diverse populations within those states. It is also designed to act as a further brake or built-in check and balance in our constitutional system to ensure real consensus across all parties in this particular institution and Congress as a whole and ultimately the United States. Letting one party or faction completely dominate proceedings and legislation will only build up resentment by party in the minority and lead to a cycle of elected majority parties coming in to repeat a cycle of reversing the reversal of previously passed legislation.
In order for the Upper Senate sub-chamber to be created, the Lower Senate should be composed as the below constitutional amendment. If Lower Senate cannot be expanded in the near future, it can still function with just two members from each state as the current Senate does now. However there should be implementation of the no more than three six-year terms in a row rule included below. There would also be implementation of the 11/20th or 55% rule as a routinely practiced option in passing legislation and ensuring bipartisan support. This would be in addition to simple majority vote in special circumstances and of course, the 60-member filibuster rule.
Proposed Amendment for the Lower Senate
The Lower Senate of the United States shall be composed of four senators from each state, three shall be elected by the people thereof, for six years for no more than three terms in a row and each senator shall have one vote. The fourth senator shall be a competent citizen in good standing selected by lottery and approved through a referendum as a non-partisan member of the Senate beholden to no faction or party and shall serve a single term of six years and shall have one vote.
Proposed Amendment for the Upper Senate
The Upper Senate of the United States shall be composed of two senators from each state, chosen by the legislature thereof from within their ranks by election or lottery with the consent of the people confirming the parties chosen, for terms of two years with no more than three terms in a row served; and each senator shall have one vote.
The above amendment for the Upper Senate is meant to avoid the problems in the 1800s that occurred when senators were chosen by state legislatures before the advent of the 17th Amendment in 1913. A key difference between the Upper and Lower Senate would be the fact that all legislation would have to pass the Upper Senate by a three-fifths majority (60) of that chamber. There would be no filibuster or committee votes by this chamber as it is meant to give an up or down vote as a whole
