I was leaning toward, 'without winning the Senate its a waste of time when there are so many other pressing concerns.'

But no, you're right, they have to walk and chew pedo-gum at the same time. They have to take action against the ongoing national threat, and they have to move the country on from these people's dystopic vision of the US. Its a necessary part of the program.

It'd also have the tactical benefit of distracting from the WH regime's program, and allow political space for wavering Republicans to push back against certain excesses lessening the damage the WH is able to carry out from that point.