Given the trouble that two houses of Congress give us, what would make more splitting of the same power better? They might waste it more efficiently?
Anyway, Senate Democrats are considering the "nuclear option", a 51 majority vote that would allow Democrats to re-write Senate rules to weaken the Filibuster. They haven't so far because A: It'd be really enraging, given it sets the precedent of changing Senate rules to be more simple majority driven rather then Compromise and B: They hope Republicans will cave on the bill to raise the debt ceiling,which is currently being Filibustered.
Boehner has stated Obama's new offer, talks after a budget push-through and debt ceiling raise, would be akin to "Unconditional surrender". Republican Unity is fraying as, unlike any time before now, there is no end-game; many are worried the end game is losing. Boehner has confided in fellow republicans he has a few cards up his sleeve, but as for the moment no one knows what those may be. Republican Leadership has stated Obama and the Democrats will eventually negotiate, although they may "redefine negotiate".
Also the new rightist argument that Oct 17th is not the day, Nov 1st is. The logic is very simple, the US does not default until it does not have enough money to pay its debts, and when the Government cannot borrow starting Oct17th they would have about 30 Billion cash on hand, possibly enough to make it the week.