WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR) - The U.S. Senate is expected to pass legislation to expand Social Security benefits to nearly three million retirees before lawmakers leave for the holiday break.  The bill would eliminate two federal policies that currently prevent retired workers like teachers, police officers, janitors and others with public pensions, along with their spouses, from collecting their full benefits.  "It's a wonderful way to end the year," said U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio.) ahead of the final vote.  "This is about promises kept," said U.S. Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-La.) "To return that which is due to the people who give their lives to serve the public." Cassidy and Brown both shared personal stories from their constituents impacted by the rules.  Cassidy said when a retired Louisiana teacher became a widow, she saw her benefit fall to about $200 a month.  "She would have been better off had she never worked," Cassidy said. Brown said an Ohio school bus driver in her 70s has been too afraid to retire.  "She just can't do it any longer, but she retires, what happens is her Social Security benefit would go from $2,100 a month to $500 a month," Brown said.  Some lawmakers though oppose the way this specific legislation goes about addressing the issue. "It sounds like motherhood and apple pie: 'The Social Security Fairness Act,'" said U.S. Sen. Thom Tillis (R-N.C.). Tillis said the bill would actually deplete the Social Security trust fund six months earlier. "They are going to raid $200 billion with a B over ten years to pay for this," Tillis said.  The Senate's top Democrat, Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) argues the legislation is decades in the making. "This Social Security fix right before Christmas would be a great gift," Schumer said.  The House already passed the bill so Senate approval would send it to President Joe Biden's desk.