It was probably brought up either to be used as a wedge issue in the next elections to show the Democrats refusal to support drilling and any attempt to lower gas prices or because of the price of oil as high as it is now maybe this might be one of the last chances to get it through (with possible changes in parties in the WH/bigger Dem majority in Congress.)

Will it get through?

Well at first i expect the dems to block it at all costs, but if the public gets angry then maybe they'll allow it to be tied in with some other bill or something...if we couldn't get it through the Senate with 55 members then we won't do it being in the minority! In the House it went along party lines so even if votes were scheduled i'm not sure it'd pass.