Politicians aren't idiots. Neither are they Machiavellian schemers. They are just in a situation where supporting bills like this are all upside and no downside

Politicians aren't idiots. Neither are they Machiavellian schemers. They are just in a situation where supporting bills like this are all upside and no downside. If this passes and five years later computer security is swiss cheese, politicians know that most people will blame the computer companies and vendors not the government. If this fails due to tech company opposition, they will get to avoid any criticism for not preventing the next terrorist attack. Instead they will simply find one encrypted iPhone and blame Apple.