“Seems as though the Senate Democrats are hoping to GAIN politically by the country hurting.”
No, these all appear to be fundamental how-you-see-the-universe issues. For example, the Republicans are trying to change a law that currently requires states to set aside 10% of their high funds for transportation museums, buying bicycle easements, etc. The Republicans want the states to decide how to use the money instead of a federal law saying it has to go towards, among other things, “pedestrian education.” The difference is Democrats want to use the law to force whatever the Progressive flavor of the week is on people and the Republicans are trying to stop it.
I suspect that the Democrats don’s see their obstruction as creating more pain for the public. After all, pedestrian education and transportation museums are GOOD things; well worth a few jobs.