Can you elaborate on how this eviscerates anticircumvention?
Edit: If you want to know what the Unlocking Technology Act would do, see http://beta.congress.gov/bill/113th/house-bill/1892/text, it's pretty short.
If the DMCA can be construed as preventing unlocking, then you can build a political coalition to repeal that part of the DMCA.
If cell phones are not locked then there is no political motive and when you go on TV as someone who is against that portion of the DMCA you're framed as a Blu-ray thief. If you can reframe it around cellphone unlocking then you're a hero.
Cellphones are viewed as a very personal device and long term contracts / locked phones are viewed as a restriction on freedom. If you can make it about freedom then you can get Americans on board.
2) Because of #1: Don't let the perfect become the enemy of the good. This is a good interim solution.