When the dems had the house they had a faux majority in the Senate.
Democrats had a real majority. They found enough no votes to block stuff they ran on but never had any intention of passing. Exactly like they did with the public option.
Voters are expected to operate in perfect lockstep and vote for the worst candidates party leadership thinks it can get away with. When our elected officials break off and vote with their fucking donors, we don't demand conformity with the party from them at all.