On Thursday, Congress passed a spending bill that includes a provision restoring the tuition assistance program for members of the military, the Associated Press reported.
The military suspended the program earlier this month after sequestration kicked in, hoping to save $250 million to $300 million.
The move angered veterans, active duty military and lawmakers.
But the GOP-led House approved a continuing resolution that included an amendment by Sens. James Inhofe (R-Okla.) and Kay Hagan (D-N.C.) telling the Defense Department to find the money for the program. Senators approved the amendment on Wednesday on a voice vote, and the entire package passed the House on a bipartisan 318-109 vote.
Inhofe said that "many" military members "were so alarmed that it was even suggested they would take away the very thing that caused them to enlist in the first place.”
"I'm pleased the House has passed my bipartisan amendment with Senator Inhofe to restore Tuition Assistance as part of the continuing resolution," Hagan told the Huffington Post. "I look forward to the President signing this legislation into law so we can keep our commitment to our service members. The brave men and women who serve in uniform have never given up on our country, and now we have signaled that we won't give up on them."
There is one sticking point, however. The measure does not apply to the Coast Guard, which falls under the auspices of the Department of Homeland Security, after being formally transferred from the Treasury Department in 2003. As a result, TA funding for the Coast Guard remains cut.
"Last year," the AP said, "members of the active military took 870,000 courses and earned 50,500 degrees, diplomas and certificates, according to the senators."
The continuing resolution awaits President Obama's signature.
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