[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 71 (Thursday, May 17, 2012)]
[Senate]
[Pages S3281-S3287]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          STATEMENTS ON INTRODUCED BILLS AND JOINT RESOLUTIONS

      By Ms. SNOWE (for herself and Ms. Landrieu):
  S. 3196. A bill to establish the National Women's High-Growth 
Business Bipartisan Task Force, and for other purposes; to the 
Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship.
  Ms. SNOWE. Mr. President, I rise today to introduce S. 3196 and S. 
3197. This legislation will strengthen the resources and support that 
we provide to women entrepreneurs, and to strengthen oversight of the 
SBA's technical assistance programs. The SBA's Entrepreneurial 
Development programs are a vital source of training and management 
support for entrepreneurs, and I am pleased to work with Chair Landrieu 
to improve these programs and ensure that the taxpayer dollars that 
support them are being utilized in the most efficient and effective way 
possible.
  The Women's Small Business Ownership Act of 2012 builds upon our 
commitment to providing assistance to women entrepreneurs, whose firms 
have grown at ice the rate of other firms. The SBA's Women's Business 
Center, WBC, program provides critical assistance to economically or 
socially disadvantaged entrepreneurs, especially women. The bill I am 
introducing today with Chair Landrieu holds funding for the WBC program 
at current levels for the next three years, in recognition that now is 
not the time to grow Federal programs, including proven ones like the 
SBA's technical assistance efforts.
  Our bill also makes necessary improvements to the WBC program, such 
as establishing a process and criteria that the SBA must follow in 
administering grants under this program, and expanding eligible 
entities that can host Women's Business Centers to include local 
economic development organizations and community colleges. It also 
improves the transparency of project funds to ensure that WBC hosts are 
not comingling their grant funds with those for separate purposes and 
initiatives.
  To further strengthen growth in women-owned businesses, we are also 
introducing the National Women's High-Growth Business Bipartisan Task 
Force Act of 2012. This legislation would repeal the National Women's 
Business Council and replace it with a Women's High-Growth Business 
Bipartisan Task Force charged with developing and promoting 
initiatives, policies, and programs designed to encourage the formation 
of startups and high-growth small business concerns owned by women.
  Under current law, the Council receives funding to employ an 
executive director and four additional employees, who may receive a 
maximum pay rate of GS 15. However, most other advisory committees 
across the government and SBA operate without staff, and under this 
bill we will save taxpayers nearly $1 million by transitioning the 
current Council into a Task Force, similar to the Interagency Veteran's 
Task Force at the SBA, which was established in 2008.
  Additionally, this legislation places an emphasis on high-growth 
small businesses owned and controlled by women. Recently, the Kauffman 
Foundation, based in Kansas City, MO, researched the effects of 
startups as part of the American economy. These reports demonstrate the 
necessity of new and young start-ups to act as mechanisms for reviving 
the American economy; particularly those of high-growth entrepreneurs. 
In this rapidly growing area of high-growth firms, which often 
incorporate intellectual property endeavors, this bill ensures that 
women's small business concerns are being addressed, with an emphasis 
on achieving and maximizing high-growth potential.

[[Page S3282]]

  Finally, I am pleased to join Chair Landrieu in introducing the 
Strengthening Resources for America's Entrepreneurs Act. This 
legislation aims to improve oversight and coordination among the SBA's 
existing entrepreneurial development, ED, programs, including the 
Women's Business Centers, WBC, the Small Business Development Centers, 
SBDC, and the Service Corps of Retired Executives, SCORE, by setting 
performance measures, reducing duplication, and increasing partnerships 
with local entrepreneurial training providers to make them more 
effective and responsive to the needs of small businesses.
  Importantly, this legislation makes several changes to the SBA's 
entrepreneurial development programs at no cost to taxpayers. The bill 
instructs the SBA to develop a plan outlining how to use ED initiatives 
to create new jobs over the next 2 years, improves cross-program 
coordination to maximize use of program resources, establishes a 
consistent data collection process for all of its technical assistance 
programs, and ensures that someone is available to assist small 
businesses at all SBA district offices. By requiring the SBA to collect 
data will provide important insights into the strengths of the ED 
programs and highlight where there is room for improvement.
  Now, more than ever, we in Congress must do everything within our 
power to help small businesses drive our Nation's economic recovery, 
and the SBA programs we are reauthorizing today are critical elements 
of that support. In the coming weeks, I look forward to working with 
the Chair and my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to move these 
bills through the full Senate.
  Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the text of the bill be 
printed in the Record.
  There being no objection, the text of the bill was ordered to be 
printed in the Record, as follows:

                                S. 3196

       Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
     the United States of America in Congress assembled,

     SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

       This Act may be cited as the ``National Women's High-Growth 
     Business Bipartisan Task Force Act of 2012''.

     SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS.

       In this Act--
       (1) the terms ``Administration'' and ``Administrator'' mean 
     the Small Business Administration and the Administrator 
     thereof, respectively;
       (2) the term ``Task Force'' means the National Women's 
     High-Growth Business Bipartisan Task Force established under 
     section 3; and
       (3) the term ``small business concern owned and controlled 
     by women'' has the meaning given that term in section 3(n) of 
     the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 632(n)).

     SEC. 3. NATIONAL WOMEN'S HIGH-GROWTH BUSINESS BIPARTISAN TASK 
                   FORCE.

       (a) Establishment.--There is established the National 
     Women's High-Growth Business Bipartisan Task Force, which 
     shall serve as an independent source of advice, research, and 
     policy recommendations to--
       (1) the Administrator;
       (2) the Assistant Administrator of the Office of Women's 
     Business Ownership of the Administration;
       (3) Congress;
       (4) the President; and
       (5) other Federal departments and agencies.
       (b) Membership.--
       (1) Number of members.--The Task Force shall be composed of 
     15 members, of which--
       (A) 8 shall be individuals who own small business concerns 
     owned and controlled by women, including not fewer than 2 
     individuals who own small business concerns owned and 
     controlled by women in industries in which women are 
     traditionally underrepresented;
       (B) 2 shall be individuals having expertise conducting 
     research on women's business, women's entrepreneurship, new 
     business development by women, and high-growth business 
     development; and
       (C) 5 shall be individuals who represent women's business 
     organizations, including women's business centers and women's 
     business advocacy groups.
       (2) Appointment of members.--
       (A) Owners of small business concerns owned and controlled 
     by women.--Of the members of the Task Force described in 
     paragraph (1)(A)--
       (i) 2 shall be appointed by the Chairperson of the 
     Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship of the 
     Senate;
       (ii) 2 shall be appointed by the Ranking Member of the 
     Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship of the 
     Senate;
       (iii) 2 shall be appointed by the Chairperson of the 
     Committee on Small Business of the House of Representatives; 
     and
       (iv) 2 shall be appointed by the Ranking Member of the 
     Committee on Small Business of the House of Representatives.
       (B) Other members.--The members of the Task Force described 
     in subparagraphs (B) and (C) of paragraph (1) shall be 
     appointed by the Administrator.
       (C) Initial appointments.--The individuals described in 
     subparagraphs (A) and (B) shall appoint the initial members 
     of the Task Force not later than 90 days after the date of 
     enactment of this Act.
       (D) Geographic considerations.--In making an appointment 
     under this paragraph, the individuals described in 
     subparagraphs (A) and (B) shall give consideration to the 
     geographic areas of the United States in which the members of 
     the Task Force live and work, particularly to ensure that 
     rural areas are represented on the Task Force.
       (E) Political affiliation.--Not more than 8 members of the 
     Task Force may be members of the same political party.
       (3) Chairperson.--
       (A) Election of chairperson.--The members of the Task Force 
     shall elect 1 member of the Task Force as Chairperson of the 
     Task Force.
       (B) Vacancies.--Any vacancy in the position of Chairperson 
     of the Task Force shall be filled by the Task Force at the 
     first meeting of the Task Force after the date on which the 
     vacancy occurs.
       (4) Term of service.--
       (A) In general.--Except as provided in subparagraph (B), 
     the term of service of each member of the Task Force shall be 
     3 years.
       (B) Terms of initial appointees.--Of the members of the 
     Task Force first appointed after the date of enactment of 
     this Act--
       (i) 6 shall be appointed for a term of 4 years, including--

       (I) 1 member appointed by the individuals described in each 
     of clauses (i), (ii), (iii), and (iv) of paragraph (2)(A); 
     and
       (II) 2 members appointed by the Administrator; and

       (ii) 5 shall be appointed for a term of 5 years, 
     including--

       (I) 1 member appointed by the individuals described in each 
     of clauses (i), (ii), (iii), and (iv) of paragraph (2)(A); 
     and
       (II) 1 member appointed by the Administrator.

       (5) Vacancies.--A vacancy on the Task Force shall be filled 
     not later than 30 days after the date on which the vacancy 
     occurs, in the manner in which the original appointment was 
     made, and shall be subject to any conditions that applied to 
     the original appointment. An individual chosen to fill a 
     vacancy shall be appointed for the unexpired term of the 
     member replaced.
       (6) Prohibition on federal employment.--
       (A) In general.--Except as provided in subparagraph (B), no 
     member of the Task Force may serve as an officer or employee 
     of the United States.
       (B) Exception.--A member of the Task Force who accepts a 
     position as an officer or employee of the United States after 
     appointment to the Task Force may continue to serve on the 
     Task Force for not more than 30 days after the date of such 
     acceptance.
       (7) Compensation and expenses.--
       (A) No compensation.--Each member of the Task Force shall 
     serve without compensation.
       (B) Expenses.--The Administrator shall reimburse the 
     members of the Task Force for travel and subsistence expenses 
     in accordance with section 5703 of title 5, United States 
     Code.
       (c) Duties.--The Task Force shall--
       (1) review and monitor plans and programs developed in the 
     public and private sectors that affect the ability of small 
     business concerns owned and controlled by women to obtain 
     capital and credit and to access markets, and provide advice 
     on improving coordination between such plans and programs;
       (2) monitor and promote the plans, programs, and operations 
     of the Federal departments and agencies that contribute to 
     the formation and development of small business concerns 
     owned and controlled by women, and make recommendations to 
     Federal departments and agencies concerning the coordination 
     of such plans, programs, and operations;
       (3) develop and promote initiatives, policies, programs, 
     and plans designed to encourage the formation of startups and 
     high-growth small business concerns owned and controlled by 
     women;
       (4) advise the Administrator on the development and 
     implementation of an annual comprehensive plan for joint 
     efforts by the public and private sectors to facilitate the 
     formation and development of startups and high-growth small 
     business concerns owned and controlled by women; and
       (5) examine the link between women who own small business 
     concerns and intellectual property, including--
       (A) the number of patents, trademarks, and copyrights 
     granted to women; and
       (B) the challenges faced by high-growth small business 
     concerns owned and controlled by women in obtaining and 
     enforcing intellectual property rights.
       (d) Powers.--
       (1) Hearings.--The Task Force may hold such hearings, sit 
     and act at such times and places, take such testimony, and 
     receive such evidence as the Task Force considers advisable 
     to carry out its duties.
       (2) Task groups.--The Task Force may, from time to time, 
     establish temporary task groups, as necessary to carry out 
     the duties of the Task Force.
       (3) Information from federal agencies.--Upon request of the 
     Chairperson of the Task

[[Page S3283]]

     Force, the head of any Federal department or agency shall 
     furnish such information to the Task Force as the Task Force 
     considers necessary to carry out its duties.
       (4) Use of mails.--The Task Force may use the United States 
     mails in the same manner and under the same conditions as 
     Federal departments and agencies.
       (5) Gifts.--The Task Force may accept, use, and dispose of 
     gifts or donations of services or property.
       (e) Meetings.--
       (1) In general.--The Task Force shall meet--
       (A) not less than 3 times each year;
       (B) at the call of the Chairperson; and
       (C) upon the request of--
       (i) the Administrator;
       (ii) the Chairperson and Ranking Member of the Committee on 
     Small Business and Entrepreneurship of the Senate; or
       (iii) the Chairperson and Ranking Member of the Committee 
     on Small Business of the House of Representatives.
       (2) Participation of federal agencies.--
       (A) Participation encouraged.--The Task Force shall allow 
     and encourage participation in meetings by representatives 
     from Federal agencies.
       (B) Functions of representatives of federal agencies.--A 
     representative from a Federal agency--
       (i) may be used as a resource; and
       (ii) may not vote or otherwise act as a member of the Task 
     Force.
       (3) Location.--Each meeting of the full Task Force shall be 
     held at the headquarters of the Administration, unless, not 
     later than 1 month before the meeting, a majority of the 
     members of the Task Force agree to meet at another location.
       (4) Support by administrator.--The Administrator shall 
     provide suitable meeting facilities and such administrative 
     support as may be necessary for each full meeting of the Task 
     Force.
       (f) Reports.--
       (1) Reports by task force.--
       (A) Reports required.--Not later than 30 days after the end 
     of each fiscal year, the Task Force shall submit to the 
     President and to the Committee on Small Business and 
     Entrepreneurship of the Senate and the Committee on Small 
     Business of the House of Representatives, a report 
     containing--
       (i) a detailed description of the activities of the Task 
     Force, including a report on how the Task Force has carried 
     out the duties described in subsection (c);
       (ii) the findings and recommendations of the Task Force; 
     and
       (iii) the recommendations of the Task Force for--

       (I) promoting intellectual property rights for high-growth 
     small business concerns owned and controlled by women; and
       (II) such legislative and administrative actions as the 
     Task Force considers appropriate to promote the formation and 
     development of small business concerns owned and controlled 
     by women.

       (B) Form of reports.--The report required under 
     subparagraph (A) shall include--
       (i) any concurring or dissenting views of the 
     Administrator; and
       (ii) the minutes of each meeting of the Task Force.
       (2) Reports by chief counsel for advocacy.--
       (A) Studies.--
       (i) In general.--Not less frequently than twice each year, 
     the Chief Counsel for Advocacy of the Small Business 
     Administration, in consultation with the Task Force, shall 
     conduct a study of an issue that is important to small 
     business concerns owned and controlled by women.
       (ii) Topics.--The topic of a study under clause (i) shall--

       (I) be an issue that the Task Force determines is critical 
     to furthering the interests of small business concerns owned 
     and controlled by women; and
       (II) relate to--

       (aa) Federal prime contracts and subcontracts awarded to 
     small business concerns owned and controlled by women;
       (bb) access to credit and investment capital by women 
     entrepreneurs;
       (cc) acquiring and enforcing intellectual property rights; 
     or
       (dd) any other issue relating to small business concerns 
     owned and controlled by women that the Task Force determines 
     is appropriate.
       (iii) Contracting.--In conducting a study under this 
     subparagraph, the Chief Counsel may contract with a public or 
     private entity.
       (B) Report.--The Chief Counsel for Advocacy shall--
       (i) submit a report containing the results of each study 
     under subparagraph (A) to the Task Force, the Committee on 
     Small Business and Entrepreneurship of the Senate, and the 
     Committee on Small Business of the House of Representatives; 
     and
       (ii) make each report submitted under clause (i) available 
     to the public online.
       (g) Federal Advisory Committee Act.--Section 14 of the 
     Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App.) shall not 
     apply to the Task Force.

     SEC. 4. REPEAL.

       (a) Final Reports.--Not later than 90 days after of the 
     date of enactment of this Act--
       (1) the Interagency Committee on Women's Business 
     Enterprise shall submit to the President and the Committee on 
     Small Business and Entrepreneurship of the Senate and the 
     Committee on Small Business of the House of Representatives a 
     report containing the information described in paragraphs 
     (1), (2), and (3) of section 404 of the Women's Business 
     Ownership Act of 1988 (15 U.S.C. 7104), as in effect on the 
     day before the date of enactment of this Act; and
       (2) the National Women's Business Council shall submit to 
     the President and the Committee on Small Business and 
     Entrepreneurship of the Senate and the Committee on Small 
     Business of the House of Representatives a report containing 
     the information described in subparagraphs (A), (B), and (C) 
     of section 406(d)(6) of the Women's Business Ownership Act of 
     1988 (15 U.S.C. 7106), as in effect on the day before the 
     date of enactment of this Act.
       (b) Repeal.--The Women's Business Ownership Act of 1988 (15 
     U.S.C. 631 note) is amended by striking title IV (15 U.S.C. 
     7101 et seq.).
       (c) Technical and Conforming Amendments.--The Small 
     Business Act (15 U.S.C. 631 et seq.) is amended--
       (1) in section 8(b)(1)(G) (15 U.S.C. 637(b)(1)(G)), by 
     striking ``and to carry out the activities authorized by 
     title IV of the Women's Business Ownership Act of 1988''; and
       (2) in section 29(g) (15 U.S.C. 656(g))--
       (A) in paragraph (1), by striking ``women's business 
     enterprises (as defined in section 408 of the Women's 
     Business Ownership Act of 1988 (15 U.S.C. 631 note))'' and 
     inserting ``small business concerns owned and controlled by 
     women''; and
       (B) in paragraph (2)(B)(ii)--
       (i) in subclause (VI), by adding ``and'' at the end;
       (ii) in subclause (VII), by striking the semicolon at the 
     end and inserting a period; and
       (iii) by striking subclauses (VIII), (IX), and (X).
       (d) Effective Date.--The amendments made by subsections (b) 
     and (c) shall take effect 90 days after the date of enactment 
     of this Act.
                                 ______
                                 
      By Ms. SNOWE (for herself and Ms. Landrieu):
  S. 3197. A bill to reauthorize the women's business center program of 
the Small Business Administration, and for other purposes; to the 
Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship.
  Ms. SNOWE. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the text of 
the bill be printed in the Record.
  There being no objection, the text of the bill was ordered to be 
printed in the Record, as follows:

                                S. 3197

       Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
     the United States of America in Congress assembled,

     SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

       This Act may be cited as the ``Women's Small Business 
     Ownership Act of 2012''.

     SEC. 2. DEFINITION.

       In this Act, the term ``Administrator'' means the 
     Administrator of the Small Business Administration.

     SEC. 3. OFFICE OF WOMEN'S BUSINESS OWNERSHIP.

       (a) In General.--Section 29(g) of the Small Business Act 
     (15 U.S.C. 656(g)) is amended--
       (1) in paragraph (2)--
       (A) in subparagraph (B)--
       (i) in clause (i), by striking ``in the areas'' and all 
     that follows through the end of subclause (I), and inserting 
     the following: ``to address issues concerning the management, 
     operations, manufacturing, technology, finance, retail and 
     product sales, international trade, Government contracting, 
     and other disciplines required for--

       ``(I) starting, operating, and increasing the business of a 
     small business concern;''; and

       (ii) in clause (ii), by striking ``Women's Business Center 
     program'' each place that term appears and inserting 
     ``women's business center program''; and
       (B) in subparagraph (C), by inserting before the period at 
     the end the following: ``, the National Women's Business 
     Council, and any association of women's business centers''; 
     and
       (2) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(3) Training.--The Administrator may provide annual 
     programmatic and financial examination training for women's 
     business ownership representatives and district office 
     technical representatives of the Administration to enable 
     representatives to carry out their responsibilities.
       ``(4) Program and transparency improvements.--The 
     Administrator shall maximize the transparency of the women's 
     business center financial assistance proposal process and the 
     programmatic and financial examination process by--
       ``(A) providing public notice of any announcement for 
     financial assistance under subsection (b) or a grant under 
     subsection (l) not later than the end of the first quarter of 
     each fiscal year;
       ``(B) in the announcement described in subparagraph (A), 
     outlining award and program evaluation criteria and 
     describing the weighting of the criteria for financial 
     assistance under subsection (b) and grants under subsection 
     (l);
       ``(C) minimizing paperwork and reporting requirements for 
     applicants for and recipients of financial assistance under 
     this section;
       ``(D) standardizing the programmatic and financial 
     examination process; and

[[Page S3284]]

       ``(E) providing to each women's business center, not later 
     than 60 days after the completion of a site visit to the 
     women's business center (whether conducted for an audit, 
     performance review, or other reason), a copy of any site 
     visit reports or evaluation reports prepared by district 
     office technical representatives or officers or employees of 
     the Administration.''.
       (b) Change of Title.--
       (1) In general.--Section 29 of the Small Business Act (15 
     U.S.C. 656) is amended--
       (A) in subsection (a)--
       (i) by striking paragraphs (1) and (4);
       (ii) by redesignating paragraphs (2) and (3) as paragraphs 
     (4) and (5), respectively; and
       (iii) by inserting before paragraph (4), as so 
     redesignated, the following:
       ``(2) the term `Director' means the Director of the Office 
     of Women's Business Ownership established under subsection 
     (g);'';
       (B) by striking ``Assistant Administrator'' each place that 
     term appears and inserting ``Director''; and
       (C) in subsection (g)(2), in the paragraph heading, by 
     striking ``Assistant administrator'' and inserting 
     ``Director''.
       (2) Women's business ownership act of 1988.--Title IV of 
     the Women's Business Ownership Act of 1988 (15 U.S.C. 7101 et 
     seq.) is amended--
       (A) in section 403(a)(2)(B), by striking ``Assistant 
     Administrator'' and inserting ``Director'';
       (B) in section 405, by striking ``Assistant Administrator'' 
     and inserting ``Director''; and
       (C) in section 406(c), by striking ``Assistant 
     Administrator'' and inserting ``Director''.

     SEC. 4. WOMEN'S BUSINESS CENTER PROGRAM.

       (a) Women's Business Center Financial Assistance.--Section 
     29 of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 656) is amended--
       (1) in subsection (a), as amended by section 3(b) of this 
     Act--
       (A) by inserting before paragraph (2) the following:
       ``(1) the term `association of women's business centers' 
     means an organization--
       ``(A) that represents not less than 51 percent of the 
     women's business centers that participate in a program under 
     this section; and
       ``(B) whose primary purpose is to represent women's 
     business centers;'';
       (B) by inserting after paragraph (2) the following:
       ``(3) the term `eligible entity' means--
       ``(A) a private nonprofit organization;
       ``(B) a State, regional, or local economic development 
     organization;
       ``(C) a development, credit, or finance corporation 
     chartered by a State;
       ``(D) a junior or community college, as defined in section 
     312(f) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 
     1058(f)); or
       ``(E) any combination of entities listed in subparagraphs 
     (A) through (D);'';
       (C) in paragraph (4), by striking ``and'' at the end;
       (D) in paragraph (5), by striking the period at the end and 
     inserting ``; and''; and
       (E) by adding after paragraph (5) the following:
       ``(6) the term `women's business center' means a project 
     conducted by an eligible entity under this section.'';
       (2) in subsection (b)--
       (A) by redesignating paragraphs (1), (2), and (3) as 
     subparagraphs (A), (B), and (C), and adjusting the margins 
     accordingly;
       (B) by striking ``The Administration'' and all that follows 
     through ``5-year projects'' and inserting the following:
       ``(1) In general.--The Administration may provide financial 
     assistance to an eligible entity to conduct a project under 
     this section'';
       (C) by striking ``The projects shall'' and inserting the 
     following:
       ``(2) Use of funds.--The project shall be designed to 
     provide training and counseling that meets the needs of 
     women, especially socially and economically disadvantaged 
     women, and shall''; and
       (D) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(3) Amount of financial assistance.--
       ``(A) In general.--The Administrator may award financial 
     assistance under this subsection of not less than $100,000 
     and not more than $150,000 per year.
       ``(B) Lower amount.--The Administrator may award financial 
     assistance under this subsection to a recipient in an amount 
     that is less than $100,000 if the Administrator determines 
     that the recipient is unable to make a non-Federal 
     contribution of $100,000 or more, as required under 
     subsection (c).
       ``(C) Equal allocations.--If the Administration has 
     insufficient funds to provide financial assistance of not 
     less than $100,000 for each recipient of financial assistance 
     under this subsection in any fiscal year, the Administrator 
     shall provide an equal amount of financial assistance to each 
     recipient in the fiscal year, unless a recipient requests a 
     lower amount than the allocated amount.
       ``(4) Consultation with associations of women's business 
     centers.--The Administrator shall consult with each 
     association of women's business centers to develop--
       ``(A) a training program for the staff of women's business 
     centers and the Administration; and
       ``(B) recommendations to improve the policies and 
     procedures for governing the general operations and 
     administration of the women's business center program, 
     including grant program improvements under subsection 
     (g)(4).'';
       (3) in subsection (c)--
       (A) in paragraph (1) by striking ``the recipient 
     organization'' and inserting ``an eligible entity'';
       (B) in paragraph (3), in the second sentence, by striking 
     ``a recipient organization'' and inserting ``an eligible 
     entity'';
       (C) in paragraph (4)--
       (i) by striking ``recipient of assistance'' and inserting 
     ``eligible entity'';
       (ii) by striking ``such organization'' and inserting ``the 
     eligible entity''; and
       (iii) by striking ``recipient'' and inserting ``eligible 
     entity''; and
       (D) in paragraph (5)--
       (i) in subparagraph (A), by striking ``a recipient 
     organization'' and inserting ``an eligible entity''; and
       (ii) by striking ``the recipient organization'' each place 
     it appears and inserting ``the eligible entity''; and
       (E) by adding at end the following:
       ``(6) Separation of project and funds.--An eligible entity 
     shall--
       ``(A) carry out a project under this section separately 
     from other projects, if any, of the eligible entity; and
       ``(B) separately maintain and account for any financial 
     assistance under this section.'';
       (4) in subsection (e)--
       (A) by striking ``applicant organization'' and inserting 
     ``eligible entity'';
       (B) by striking ``a recipient organization'' and inserting 
     ``an eligible entity''; and
       (C) by striking ``site'';
       (5) by striking subsection (f) and inserting the following:
       ``(f) Applications and Criteria for Initial Financial 
     Assistance.--
       ``(1) Application.--Each eligible entity desiring financial 
     assistance under subsection (b) shall submit to the 
     Administrator an application that contains--
       ``(A) a certification that the eligible entity--
       ``(i) has designated an executive director or program 
     manager, who may be compensated using financial assistance 
     under subsection (b) or other sources, to manage the center 
     on a full-time basis;
       ``(ii) as a condition of receiving financial assistance 
     under subsection (b), agrees--

       ``(I) to receive a site visit by the Administrator as part 
     of the final selection process;
       ``(II) to undergo an annual programmatic and financial 
     examination; and
       ``(III) to the maximum extent practicable, to remedy any 
     problems identified pursuant to the site visit or examination 
     under subclause (I) or (II); and

       ``(iii) meets the accounting and reporting requirements 
     established by the Director of the Office of Management and 
     Budget;
       ``(B) information demonstrating that the eligible entity 
     has the ability and resources to meet the needs of the market 
     to be served by the women's business center for which 
     financial assistance under subsection (b) is sought, 
     including the ability to obtain the non-Federal contribution 
     required under subsection (c);
       ``(C) information relating to the assistance to be provided 
     by the women's business center for which financial assistance 
     under subsection (b) is sought in the area in which the 
     women's business center is located;
       ``(D) information demonstrating the experience and 
     effectiveness of the eligible entity in--
       ``(i) conducting financial, management, and marketing 
     assistance programs, as described in subsection (b)(2), which 
     are designed to teach or upgrade the business skills of women 
     who are business owners or potential business owners;
       ``(ii) providing training and services to a representative 
     number of women who are socially and economically 
     disadvantaged; and
       ``(iii) working with resource partners of the 
     Administration and other entities, such as universities; and
       ``(E) a 5-year plan that describes the ability of the 
     women's business center for which financial assistance is 
     sought--
       ``(i) to serve women who are business owners or potential 
     business owners by conducting training and counseling 
     activities; and
       ``(ii) to provide training and services to a representative 
     number of women who are socially and economically 
     disadvantaged.
       ``(2) Additional information.--The Administrator shall make 
     any request for additional information from an organization 
     applying for financial assistance under subsection (b) that 
     was not requested in the original announcement in writing.
       ``(3) Review and approval of applications for initial 
     financial assistance.--
       ``(A) In general.--The Administrator shall--
       ``(i) review each application submitted under paragraph 
     (1), based on the information described in such paragraph and 
     the criteria set forth under subparagraph (B) of this 
     paragraph; and
       ``(ii) to the extent practicable, as part of the final 
     selection process, conduct a site visit to each women's 
     business center for which financial assistance under 
     subsection (b) is sought.
       ``(B) Selection criteria.--
       ``(i) In general.--The Administrator shall evaluate 
     applicants for financial assistance under subsection (b) in 
     accordance with selection criteria that are--

       ``(I) established before the date on which applicants are 
     required to submit the applications;
       ``(II) stated in terms of relative importance; and

[[Page S3285]]

       ``(III) publicly available and stated in each solicitation 
     for applications for financial assistance under subsection 
     (b) made by the Administrator.

       ``(ii) Required criteria.--The selection criteria for 
     financial assistance under subsection (b) shall include--

       ``(I) the experience of the applicant in conducting 
     programs or ongoing efforts designed to teach or enhance the 
     business skills of women who are business owners or potential 
     business owners;
       ``(II) the ability of the applicant to begin a project 
     within a minimum amount of time;
       ``(III) the ability of the applicant to provide training 
     and services to a representative number of women who are 
     socially and economically disadvantaged; and
       ``(IV) the location for the women's business center 
     proposed by the applicant, including whether the applicant is 
     located in a State in which there is not a women's business 
     center receiving funding from the Administration.

       ``(C) Proximity.--If the principal place of business of an 
     applicant for financial assistance under subsection (b) is 
     located less than 50 miles from the principal place of 
     business of a women's business center that received funds 
     under this section on or before the date of the application, 
     the applicant shall not be eligible for the financial 
     assistance, unless the applicant submits a detailed written 
     justification of the need for an additional center in the 
     area in which the applicant is located.
       ``(D) Record retention.--The Administrator shall maintain a 
     copy of each application submitted under this subsection for 
     not less than 7 years.''; and
       (6) in subsection (m)--
       (A) by striking paragraph (3) and inserting the following:
       ``(3) Application and approval for renewal grants.--
       ``(A) Solicitation of applications.--The Administrator 
     shall solicit applications and award grants under this 
     subsection for the first fiscal year beginning after the date 
     of enactment of the Women's Small Business Ownership Act of 
     2012, and every third fiscal year thereafter.
       ``(B) Contents of application.--Each eligible entity 
     desiring a grant under this subsection shall submit to the 
     Administrator an application that contains--
       ``(i) a certification that the applicant--

       ``(I) is an eligible entity;
       ``(II) has designated a full-time executive director or 
     program manager to manage the women's business center 
     operated by the applicant; and
       ``(III) as a condition of receiving a grant under this 
     subsection, agrees--

       ``(aa) to receive a site visit as part of the final 
     selection process;
       ``(bb) to submit, for the 2 full fiscal years before the 
     date on which the application is submitted, annual 
     programmatic and financial examination reports or certified 
     copies of the compliance supplemental audits under OMB 
     Circular A 133 of the applicant; and
       ``(cc) to remedy any problem identified pursuant to the 
     site visit or examination under item (aa) or (bb);
       ``(ii) information demonstrating that the applicant has the 
     ability and resources to meet the needs of the market to be 
     served by the women's business center for which a grant under 
     this subsection is sought, including the ability to obtain 
     the non-Federal contribution required under paragraph (4)(C);
       ``(iii) information relating to assistance to be provided 
     by the women's business center in the area served by the 
     women's business center for which a grant under this 
     subsection is sought;
       ``(iv) information demonstrating that the applicant has 
     worked with resource partners of the Administration and other 
     entities;
       ``(v) a 3-year plan that describes the ability of the 
     women's business center for which a grant under this 
     subsection is sought--

       ``(I) to serve women who are business owners or potential 
     business owners by conducting training and counseling 
     activities; and
       ``(II) to provide training and services to a representative 
     number of women who are socially and economically 
     disadvantaged; and

       ``(vi) any additional information that the Administrator 
     may reasonably require.
       ``(C) Review and approval of applications for grants.--
       ``(i) In general.--The Administrator shall--

       ``(I) review each application submitted under subparagraph 
     (B), based on the information described in such subparagraph 
     and the criteria set forth under clause (ii) of this 
     subparagraph; and
       ``(II) whenever practicable, as part of the final selection 
     process, conduct a site visit to each women's business center 
     for which a grant under this subsection is sought.

       ``(ii) Selection criteria.--

       ``(I) In general.--The Administrator shall evaluate 
     applicants for grants under this subsection in accordance 
     with selection criteria that are--

       ``(aa) established before the date on which applicants are 
     required to submit the applications;
       ``(bb) stated in terms of relative importance; and
       ``(cc) publicly available and stated in each solicitation 
     for applications for grants under this subsection made by the 
     Administrator.

       ``(II) Required criteria.--The selection criteria for a 
     grant under this subsection shall include--

       ``(aa) the total number of entrepreneurs served by the 
     applicant;
       ``(bb) the total number of new startup companies assisted 
     by the applicant;
       ``(cc) the percentage of clients of the applicant that are 
     socially or economically disadvantaged; and
       ``(dd) the percentage of individuals in the community 
     served by the applicant who are socially or economically 
     disadvantaged.
       ``(iii) Conditions for continued funding.--In determining 
     whether to make a grant under this subsection, the 
     Administrator--

       ``(I) shall consider the results of the most recent 
     evaluation of the women's business center for which a grant 
     under this subsection is sought, and, to a lesser extent, 
     previous evaluations; and
       ``(II) may withhold a grant under this subsection, if the 
     Administrator determines that the applicant has failed to 
     provide the information required to be provided under this 
     paragraph, or the information provided by the applicant is 
     inadequate.

       ``(D) Notification.--Not later than 60 days after the date 
     of each deadline to submit applications, the Administrator 
     shall approve or deny any application under this paragraph 
     and notify the applicant for each such application of the 
     approval or denial.
       ``(E) Record retention.--The Administrator shall maintain a 
     copy of each application submitted under this paragraph for 
     not less than 7 years.''; and
       (B) by striking paragraph (5) and inserting the following:
       ``(5) Award to previous recipients.--There shall be no 
     limitation on the number of times the Administrator may award 
     a grant to an applicant under this subsection.''.
       (b) Technical and Conforming Amendments.--
       (1) In general.--Section 29 of the Small Business Act (15 
     U.S.C. 656) is amended--
       (A) in subsection (h)(2), by striking ``to award a contract 
     (as a sustainability grant) under subsection (l) or'';
       (B) in subsection (j)(1), by striking ``The 
     Administration'' and inserting ``Not later than November 1 of 
     each year, the Administrator'';
       (C) in subsection (k)--
       (i) by striking paragraphs (1), (2), and (4);
       (ii) by redesignating paragraph (3) as paragraph (5); and
       (iii) by inserting before paragraph (5), as so 
     redesignated, the following:
       ``(1) In general.--There are authorized to be appropriated 
     to the Administration to carry out this section, to remain 
     available until expended, $14,500,000 for each of fiscal 
     years 2013, 2014, and 2015.
       ``(2) Use of funds.--Amounts made available under this 
     subsection may only be used for grant awards and may not be 
     used for costs incurred by the Administration in connection 
     with the management and administration of the program under 
     this section.
       ``(3) Continuing grant and cooperative agreement 
     authority.--
       ``(A) Prompt disbursement.--Upon receiving funds to carry 
     out this section for a fiscal year, the Administrator shall, 
     to the extent practicable, promptly reimburse funds to any 
     women's business center awarded financial assistance under 
     this section if the center meets the eligibility requirements 
     under this section.
       ``(B) Suspension or termination.--If the Administrator has 
     entered into a grant or cooperative agreement with a women's 
     business center under this section, the Administrator may not 
     suspend or terminate the grant or cooperative agreement, 
     unless the Administrator--
       ``(i) provides the women's business center with written 
     notification setting forth the reasons for that action; and
       ``(ii) affords the women's business center an opportunity 
     for a hearing, appeal, or other administrative proceeding 
     under chapter 5 of title 5, United States Code.'';
       (D) in subsection (m)--
       (i) in paragraph (2), by striking ``subsection (b) or (l)'' 
     and inserting ``this subsection or subsection (b)''; and
       (ii) in paragraph (4)(D), by striking ``or subsection 
     (l)''; and
       (E) by redesignating subsections (m) and (n), as amended by 
     this Act, as subsections (l) and (m), respectively.
       (2) Prospective repeal.--Section 1401(c)(2) of the Small 
     Business Jobs Act of 2010 (15 U.S.C. 636 note) is amended--
       (A) in subparagraph (A), by striking ``and'' at the end;
       (B) in subparagraph (B), by striking the period at the end 
     and inserting ``; and''; and
       (C) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(C) by redesignating paragraph (6), as added by section 
     4(a)(3)(E) of the Women's Small Business Ownership Act of 
     2012, as paragraph (5).''.
       (c) Effect on Existing Grants.--
       (1) Terms and conditions.--A nonprofit organization 
     receiving a grant under section 29(m) of the Small Business 
     Act (15 U.S.C. 656(m)), as in effect on the day before the 
     date of enactment of this Act, shall continue to receive the 
     grant under the terms and conditions in effect for the grant 
     on the day before the date of enactment of this Act, except 
     that the nonprofit organization may not apply for a renewal 
     of the grant under section 29(m)(5) of the Small Business Act 
     (15 U.S.C. 656(m)(5)), as in effect on the day before the 
     date of enactment of this Act.
       (2) Length of renewal grant.--The Administrator may award a 
     grant under section

[[Page S3286]]

     29(l) of the Small Business Act, as so redesignated by 
     subsection (b)(5) of this Act, to a nonprofit organization 
     receiving a grant under section 29(m) of the Small Business 
     Act (15 U.S.C. 656(m)), as in effect on the day before the 
     date of enactment of this Act, for the period--
       (A) beginning on the day after the last day of the grant 
     agreement under such section 29(m); and
       (B) ending at the end of the third fiscal year beginning 
     after the date of enactment of this Act.

     SEC. 5. STUDY AND REPORT ON ECONOMIC ISSUES FACING WOMEN'S 
                   BUSINESS CENTERS.

       (a) Study.--The Comptroller General of the United States 
     shall conduct a broad study of the unique economic issues 
     facing women's business centers located in covered areas to 
     identify--
       (1) the difficulties such centers face in raising non-
     Federal funds;
       (2) the difficulties such centers face in competing for 
     financial assistance, non-Federal funds, or other types of 
     assistance;
       (3) the difficulties such centers face in writing grant 
     proposals; and
       (4) other difficulties such centers face because of the 
     economy in the type of covered area in which such centers are 
     located.
       (b) Report.--Not later than 1 year after the date of 
     enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General shall submit 
     to Congress a report containing the results of the study 
     under subsection (a), which shall include recommendations, if 
     any, regarding how to--
       (1) address the unique difficulties women's business 
     centers located in covered areas face because of the type of 
     covered area in which such centers are located;
       (2) expand the presence of, and increase the services 
     provided by, women's business centers located in covered 
     areas; and
       (3) best use technology and other resources to better serve 
     women business owners located in covered areas.
       (c) Definition of Covered Area.--In this section, the term 
     ``covered area'' means--
       (1) any State that is predominantly rural, as determined by 
     the Administrator;
       (2) any State that is predominantly urban, as determined by 
     the Administrator; and
       (3) any State or territory that is an island.

     SEC. 6. STUDY AND REPORT ON OVERSIGHT OF WOMEN'S BUSINESS 
                   CENTERS.

       (a) Study.--The Comptroller General of the United States 
     shall conduct a study of the oversight of women's business 
     centers by the Administrator, which shall include--
       (1) an analysis of the coordination by the Administrator of 
     the activities of women's business centers with the 
     activities of small business development centers, the Service 
     Corps of Retired Executives, and Veteran Business Outreach 
     Centers;
       (2) a comparison of the types of individuals and small 
     business concerns served by women's business centers and the 
     types of individuals and small business concerns served by 
     small business development centers, the Service Corps of 
     Retired Executives, and Veteran Business Outreach Centers; 
     and
       (3) an analysis of performance data for women's business 
     centers that evaluates how well women's business centers are 
     carrying out the mission of women's business centers and 
     serving individuals and small business concerns.
       (b) Report.--Not later than 1 year after the date of 
     enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General shall submit 
     to Congress a report containing the results of the study 
     under subsection (a), which shall include recommendations, if 
     any, for eliminating the duplication of services provided by 
     women's business centers, small business development centers, 
     the Service Corps of Retired Executives, and Veteran Business 
     Outreach Centers.
                                 ______
                                 
      By Mr. REED (for himself and Mr. Kyl):
  S. 3201. A bill to reform graduate medical education payments, and 
for other purposes; to the Committee on Finance.
  Mr. REED. Mr. President, today I introduce the Graduate Medical 
Education, GME, Reform Act, along with my colleague Senator Kyl. This 
legislation is a continuation of my longstanding efforts to support our 
future health care workforce and improve patient care.
  While there are a variety of initiatives to support the education and 
training of physicians, none are more substantial than the GME funding 
provided by Medicare. This program either directly or indirectly 
supports every single physician trained in this country. No other 
Federal or State program can claim this credit.
  Unfortunately, the size of the program has led some to propose its 
funding be cut and redirected toward deficit reduction. The President's 
Fiscal Commission, the Domenici-Rivlin plan, and even some Members of 
Congress have made this recommendation. Reducing GME funding by the 
levels specified in these proposals could be devastating to training 
programs.
  These proposals stem from an assertion by the congressionally 
authorized Medicare Payment Advisory Commission, MedPAC, that teaching 
hospitals are overpaid for the education and training they currently 
provide residents, and that GME funding should be better used to align 
residency training with key improvements in our health care delivery 
system. However, the Fiscal Commission and the Rivlin-Domenici plan 
ignored the latter aspect of MedPAC's recommendation. MedPAC did not 
recommend removing GME funding from the system. Instead, MedPAC 
suggested Congress should make teaching hospitals more accountable for 
the GME funding they currently receive. In MedPAC's proposal, all GME 
funding would stay in the system to help support and improve medical 
education and training.
  The legislation we are introducing today aligns closely with MedPAC's 
proposal for greater accountability by teaching hospitals and enhanced 
effectiveness in the use of GME funding, but with some key changes. One 
such change would enable hospitals to compete for additional GME 
funding in order to provide a greater incentive for teaching hospitals 
to improve their programs.
  Teaching hospitals incur higher costs than other hospitals. They 
invest in the newest technologies and employ the physician supervisors 
most qualified to train our future doctors. Moreover, as a result of 
the new health care reform law, many of these hospitals, physician 
supervisors, and residents will treat an influx of patients beginning 
in 2014. GME funding is critical to building and sustaining our health 
care infrastructure and future health care workforce.
  It is critical that GME funding remain intact, but that doesn't mean 
we shouldn't use this opportunity to encourage these programs to do 
more to better train residents in: primary care delivery, a variety of 
settings and systems, care coordination, and how to work in inter-
professional and multi-disciplinary teams. The new oversight provided 
for in the GME Reform Act would help to break down the silos in 
medicine and ensure that physicians work together to provide patients 
with comprehensive health care.
  In addition, the legislation would enhance GME payment transparency, 
which we hope will help prove to the skeptics that this funding serves 
a critical purpose.
  I am particularly pleased that the Association of American Medical 
Colleges has expressed support for legislation. While the organization 
would prefer this legislation be included as part of an overall effort 
to increase the number of residents trained each year, which I also 
support, I believe we must begin a dialogue about a sensible and 
thoughtful approach to improving GME accountability and transparency. I 
hope my colleagues will take careful look at our legislation, and I 
look forward to working with them on this important issue.
  Mr. KYL. Mr. President, the Federal Government now pays for more than 
half of all health care costs in this country, and that number is 
likely to grow with the rapidly aging U.S. population. Indeed, Medicare 
will face a nearly \1/3\ enrollment increase in the coming decade. We 
have promised health care benefits to these seniors; to keep that 
promise, we must ensure there are enough physicians to treat them. 
Unfortunately, the medical workforce is shrinking: estimates show that 
we may experience a shortage of up to 159,000 physicians by 2025.
  In light of these sobering statistics, the government has a strong 
interest in doing more to encourage the training of physicians who can 
deliver quality care to our Nation's seniors. Even if we continue 
funding medical education at current levels, we will soon face a severe 
crisis in access to medical care. Cutting this medical education 
funding would be counter-intuitive at best; dangerous at worst. In 
recent years, however, there have been several proposals to do just 
that.
  It is true that there is a lack of transparency and accountability 
around this funding--mainly because we do not require hospitals to 
report on how money is spent, and because we have not set workforce 
goals for hospitals to meet. But that does not necessarily mean that 
the money is spent poorly, or that it is an area ripe for funding 
reductions.
  Rather than simply slash funding, we should work to remedy this lack 
of

[[Page S3287]]

transparency and encourage hospitals to meet certain quality metrics. 
The Graduate Medical Education Reform Act offers one promising avenue 
to do so. Under this bill, if a teaching hospital produces quality 
residents as measured by certain consensus-based metrics, it can get up 
to a 3 percent increase in indirect medical education funding. 
Conversely, a hospital that fails to meet the metrics can be penalized 
by up to 3 percent.
  This is one common-sense approach that maintains overall current 
funding levels while encouraging quality teaching programs. I urge my 
colleagues to join Senator Reed and me in supporting this measure.
                                 ______
                                 
      By Mrs. MURRAY (for herself, Mr. Burr, Mr. Nelson, of Florida, 
        and Mr. Rubio):
  S. 3202. A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to ensure that 
deceased veterans with no known next of kin can receive a dignified 
burial, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
  Mrs. MURRAY. Mr. President, today, as Chairman of the Senate 
Committee on Veterans' Affairs, I am proud to introduce the Dignified 
Burial of Veterans Act of 2012 with Senator Burr, Ranking Member of the 
Committee on Veterans' Affairs, and my Senate colleagues from the state 
of Florida, Senators Nelson and Rubio.
  When America's heroes make a commitment to serve their country, we 
make a promise to care for them. One of the many ways in which we care 
for our veterans is by helping to provide them with a burial that 
honors their service.
  That is why I was concerned when I learned that a veteran at a VA 
National Cemetery had an inappropriate burial. This veteran, with no 
known next-of-kin, was buried in a cardboard container that later 
disintegrated to the point where the veteran's remains were exposed and 
found during a raise and realign project at the cemetery. The veteran's 
remains were later placed in a bag and reburied with what was left of 
the cardboard box. This defies logic.
  There is no reason why the remains of a veteran should ever be 
treated with this lack of dignity.
  Yet, under current law, VA is not authorized to purchase a casket or 
urn for veterans who do not have a next-of-kin to provide one, or the 
resources to be buried in an appropriate manner.
  We must take steps to prevent this from occurring again. That is why 
this bill would authorize VA to furnish a casket or urn to a deceased 
veteran when VA is unable to identify the veteran's next-of-kin and 
determines that sufficient resources are not otherwise available to 
furnish a casket or urn for burial in a national cemetery. This bill 
would further require that VA report back to Congress on the industry 
standard for urns and caskets and whether burials at VA's national 
cemeteries are meeting that standard.
  I think we can all agree that every veteran deserves a dignified 
burial. Today, I am pleased to stand with my bipartisan colleagues to 
introduce a bill that would ensure that they receive one.
  Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the text of the bill be 
printed in the Record.
  There being no objection, the text of the bill was ordered to be 
printed in the Record, as follows:

                                S. 3202

       Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
     the United States of America in Congress assembled,

     SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

       This Act may be cited as the ``Dignified Burial of Veterans 
     Act of 2012''.

     SEC. 2. FURNISHING CASKETS AND URNS FOR DECEASED VETERANS 
                   WITH NO KNOWN NEXT OF KIN.

       (a) In General.--Section 2306 of title 38, United States 
     Code, is amended--
       (1) by redesignating subsections (f) and (g) as subsections 
     (g) and (h), respectively;
       (2) by inserting after subsection (e) the following new 
     subsection (f):
       ``(f) The Secretary may furnish a casket or urn, of such 
     quality as the Secretary considers appropriate for a 
     dignified burial, for burial in a national cemetery of a 
     deceased veteran in any case in which the Secretary--
       ``(1) is unable to identify the veteran's next of kin, if 
     any; and
       ``(2) determines that sufficient resources for the 
     furnishing of a casket or urn for the burial of the veteran 
     in a national cemetery are not otherwise available.''; and
       (3) in subsection (h), as redesignated by paragraph (1), by 
     adding at the end the following new paragraph:
       ``(4) A casket or urn may not be furnished under subsection 
     (f) for burial of a person described in section 2411(b) of 
     this title.''.
       (b) Effective Date.--Subsections (f) and (h)(4) of section 
     2306 of title 38, United States Code, as added by subsection 
     (a), shall take effect on the date of the enactment of this 
     Act and shall apply with respect to deaths occurring on or 
     after such date.

     SEC. 3. REPORT ON COMPLIANCE OF DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS 
                   AFFAIRS WITH INDUSTRY STANDARDS FOR CASKETS AND 
                   URNS.

       (a) In General.--Not later than 180 days after the date of 
     the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs 
     shall submit to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the 
     Senate and the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the House of 
     Representatives a report on the compliance of the Department 
     of Veterans Affairs with industry standards for caskets and 
     urns.
       (b) Elements.--The report required by subsection (a) shall 
     include the following:
       (1) A description of industry standards for caskets and 
     urns.
       (2) An assessment of compliance with such standards at 
     National Cemeteries administered by the Department with 
     respect to caskets and urns used for the interment of those 
     eligible for burial at such cemeteries.

                          ____________________