“Small government” really has nothing to do with it. As the article states, these are Republicans who represent districts Biden carried handily. They know they’re vulnerable in the next election and are not willing to commit to a policy that will get them absolutely creamed in the general. It’s comforting to know that they realize when their party is going too far and self-preservation causes them to temporarily do the right thing, but self-preservation is the only principle in evidence here.