This was a trap. The Dems dug it up to break the log jam the Republicans put up to force a vote on oil drilling.
This was a “feel good bill”. so that the dem led congress could point to something, anything they got done.
They probably hoped more R’s would vote against it, so they could crow about “republican opposition”, but the ‘pubs didn’t go for it.
Sorry to burst your bubble, but the Republicans aren’t even that smart. (And neither are the Democrats, for that matter.)