EL PASO, Texas -- Wednesday, the U.S. House Armed Services Committee approved just under $800 million for the growth and expansion of Ft. Bliss. The bill is set to go under the debate of the entire House of Representatives next week, but if approved the money would start coming in at the beginning of 2010.

KFOX called Rep. Sylvester Reyes’ office in Washington, D.C., and they told us they were pretty optimistic the bill would be passed.

“We need that really bad, our hospital is ok out here but we need a new hospital, so I'm happy,” said Charlotte Hostetter of Northeast El Paso.

Economics Professor Thomas Fullerton said the economic and medical impact would be great for the city.

“The additions to Beaumont are going to help reinforce a trend towards greater health care-related and medical-related activity that are occuring here in El Paso,” said Fullerton.

Along with groundbreaking for the hospital, the money would give troops a 3.9 percent pay increase as well as many new facilities on the base.