It may not be "necessary" but it would be nice. It would certainly raise my morale several notches.
All Congress has to do is ignore it, and they can easily do that if it stays off the radar screen.
But Lizzard Face, Fineswine and pretty much every talking head in the country aren't going to let it stay off the radar screen. Several convenient bloodletting may also help keep it "on screen".
Which is more important to you?
A. Sunsetting the AWB.
B. Having your morale raised several notches.
You can only choose one.
You can't have both.
That's the way things go in real life.