That is exactly what it is and this bill was 'killed' to protect and insolate the U.S. Senators from the people so that they, in their higher positions, can keep bringing the replacements coming for years to come.
Think of it this way: having both the House and Senate elected by majority popular vote is like the government employee unions doing collective bargaining with the government employees.
Except in the case of Congress, both are buying votes from the same crowd with entitlements and pork.