The Senate earlier today added a measure co-sponsored by Sen. Mazie Hirono to restore funding for tuition assistance for military service members.

The measure was added to the Senate’s version of a temporary spending bill through September, which is needed to prevent a government shutdown at the end of this month. The measure now goes to the House, where it is expected to pass.

The Democratic spending measure, known as a Continuing Resolution,  passed the Senate, 73-26, with both Hawaii senators, Hirono and Brian Schatz, voting in favor.

The measure was somewhat controversial because it leaves sequestration budget cuts in place. However, Democrats are hoping to eliminate the cuts when Congress takes up the full fiscal year 2014 budget.

New aid under the program, which assits service members attending school part-time, was suspended as part of the sequestration cuts. 

In a statement, Hirono said,  “Our military personnel sacrifice a tremendous amount, and our men and women in uniform deserve to pursue academic opportunities … I am optimistic that my colleagues in the House of Representatives will pass this legislation and get our service members the relief they deserve.”

Rep. Tulsi Gabbard, meanwhile, said in a release she’d signed a letter with 45 other Congress members asking the Pentagon to find someplace else to cut. 

“Our service members have made tremendous personal sacrifices for our country,” Gabbard said in a statement. “We must hold up our end of the bargain and ensure they are properly served. These earned educational benefits are crucial for our troops to gain further leadership skills and contribute to our military, our communities, and our economy.”

— Kery Murakami