The Senate on Thursday advanced a measure to increase Social Security benefits for more than two million Americans by eliminating two laws that limit the payouts that state and local public workers receive.

The Senate passed the bill in a 73-23 vote Thursday, with a final vote expected before senator leave Capitol Hill for holiday recess. 

The legislation repeals the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and the Government Pension Offset (GPO), which combined limit the retirement income of state and local government workers and their spouses who receive money from a separate public pension. These include police officers, firefighters, and teachers.

Supporters of the legislation claimed the current system penalizes people who work in public service along with their spouses, by not giving them the retirement benefits they have earned. 

Republican Maine Sen. Susan Collins say the existing laws have pushed some retirees close to the poverty line by reducing their Social Security benefits so much.

"Our dedicated public servants, such as our teachers who help prepare our children for future success, or our police officers and firefighters who help keep our communities safe, should receive the full Social Security benefits that they have earned," Collins said in a statement.

Republicans who opposed the legislation argue its passage would harm the current Social Security system by excellerating its insolvency dates. Experts predict that retirement benefits will run out in 2033, without any changes, per CNBC. 

“We are about to pass an unfunded $200 billion spending package for a trust fund that is likely to go insolvent over the next nine to 10 years, and we’re going to pretend like somebody else has to fix it,” Republican North Carolina Sen. Thom Tillis said on Wednesday.

Correction: An early version of this story incorrectly stated the legislation has passed in the Senate.