WASHINGTON - U.S. military leaders and their allies in Congress are warning of a disastrous impact on military bases across the nation unless the incoming Democratic-led Congress approves a $14 billion military construction bill that died in the previous Republican-controlled session.

The measure, which the military says is vital to repairing deteriorating installations and accommodating thousands of military personnel and their families, was one of nine appropriations bills that did not clear the previous Congress late last year. Only two passed.

Democratic leaders presiding over the 110th Congress that convenes Thursday have indicated that they will rely on an austere emergency spending measure to finance most government operations through the remainder of fiscal 2007, which ends Sept. 30, while they craft appropriations bills for 2008.

But top-ranking military officials, in written pleas to congressional leaders, say the nation's military infrastructure could be imperiled if the so-called MilCon bill isn't resurrected and hurriedly passed.

The casualties would include 42 separate projects for barracks that would house 19,000 soldiers, according to the Pentagon.

Texas would apparently emerge as the biggest loser with the delay of $751 million in projects. Fort Bliss near El Paso, which is in line to absorb 17,000 soldiers and 10,000 family members under base realignment, faces the delay of $463 million in projects, including construction of administration buildings and family support facilities.

Military officials say the bill is needed to build new facilities to house thousands of returning service personnel from overseas as well as handling the transfer of facilities mandated by last year's base-closing and realignment process, known as BRAC. As the new Congress prepares to begin work Thursday, several lawmakers say they will push to either revive the appropriations bill or press for emergency funding to salvage the most urgently needed projects. Sen. James Inhofe, R-Okla., plans to introduce legislation to finance military construction projects that were mandated by a defense authorization bill but left largely unfunded in the absence of an appropriations bill.

The nationwide base restructuring is scheduled to be complete by 2011, but some Pentagon officials and lawmakers fear that the dilemma over military construction could derail that timetable. Rep. Chet Edwards, D-Waco, who will chair the House appropriations subcommittee that oversees military construction, said he will work to reverse what he called an "unfair and harmful" legislative misdeed.

Bases in nearly every state would be affected, according to data provided to lawmakers by the military services. Although the projects may eventually be funded, say Pentagon officials, the immediate funding delay would prevent the start of many crucial improvements and building programs, causing a ripple effect down the line.