(February 12, 2007)--The Pentagon has awarded nearly $1 million to the city of El Paso to help prepare for the arrival of thousands of new troops at Fort Bliss.

Democratic Representative Silvestre Reyes, who heads the House Intelligence Committee, announced the grant Monday.

The money from the Defense Department's Office of Economic Adjustment will help pay for housing, utilities, education, public safety, health and social services.

The award comes as Congress is fighting a Thursday deadline to pass a spending bill to keep the federal government operating.

The bill has been under debate amid Republican complaints that the legislation doesn't include enough money for Base Closing and Realignment work this year.

The bill provides $2.5 billion for that work, but some Republicans want more.

Fort Bliss is due to receive 20,000 troops, plus family members, over several years.

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