[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 34 (Monday, March 11, 2013)]
[Senate]
[Pages S1594-S1598]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          STATEMENTS ON INTRODUCED BILLS AND JOINT RESOLUTIONS

      By Ms. LANDRIEU:
  S. 511. A bill to amend the Small Business Investment Act of 1958 to 
enhance the Small Business Investment Company Program, and for other 
purposes; to the Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship.
  Ms. LANDRIEU. Mr. President, I come to the floor today to introduce 
the Expanding Access to Capital for Entrepreneurial Leaders Act, or the 
EXCEL Act. This legislation will enhance the already successful Small 
Business Investment Company, SBIC, program at the Small Business 
Administration, SBA, that has helped over 100,000 small businesses. The 
best part of this bill is that the EXCEL Act should not cost the 
taxpayer anything.
  The SBA runs a venture capital program by guaranteeing money borrowed 
by qualified investment funds who invest in small businesses. The 
qualified funds, or Small Business Investment Companies, SBICs, are 
privately owned and operated, but licensed and regulated by the SBA. 
Using a combination of private investments and the loans guaranteed by 
the SBA, typically at a ratio of $2 in guaranteed funds for every $1 of 
private capital, SBICs make longterm investments in American small 
businesses. In order to participate in the program, funds pay licensing 
fees which serve to cover all SBIC program costs. As a result, the core 
SBIC program, Debenture SBICs, not only boasts a strong success rate, 
but also incurs no cost to the U.S. government. Since the program's 
inception, over $50 billion has been invested in over 100,000 small 
businesses.
  In the last Congress, the former Ranking Member of the Small Business 
Committee, Senator Olympia Snowe, and I conducted a roundtable with 14 
participants from the SBA, SBICs, SBIC investors, and small businesses 
to elicit suggestions on enhancing the program. Out of that was born 
the EXCEL Act.
  The EXCEL Act is a bipartisan effort encompassing much-needed changes 
that will allow the SBIC program to meet growing demand and will make 
improvements so that more small businesses can access capital.
  First, the EXCEL Act raises the SBIC program authorization level from 
$3 billion to $4 billion and pegs it to inflation. This change is long 
overdue--the ceiling has been at $3 billion for some time, despite 
inflation and the impressive growth in the SBIC program. To illustrate: 
the program grew 50 percent in fiscal year 2011 alone. In order to meet 
demand, we need to give the program room to grow.
  Secondly, the EXCEL Act will encourage successful investors by 
raising the limit on ``families of funds.'' Family of funds refers to a 
team of SBIC fund managers who operate several funds. These are 
currently limited to $225 million of SBA-guaranteed debt. However, SBIC 
fund managers who manage more than one fund generally see better 
investment results. The EXCEL Act will encourage that kind of success 
by giving families of funds a higher limit of $350 million, which will 
be indexed to inflation.
  Next, the EXCEL Act improves transparency and accountability in the 
program. The legislation requires that the SBA make public how 
effective individual SBICs are in their small business investments, 
guaranteeing that SBA-backed money is being used responsibly.
  Finally, the EXCEL Act promotes outreach, thereby ensuring that the 
maximum possible number of small businesses can benefit from the SBIC 
program. The legislation encourages outreach to community banks and 
other lenders, states and municipalities, and asks the SBA to make 
their SBIC website more user-friendly.
  The EXCEL Act contains a number of commonsense provisions that have 
had support across the aisle. It enhances a program with proven success 
in providing capital to small businesses, and does so with the 
expectation that it will not add a dime to the deficit. Let us get this 
bill passed. Let us help small businesses excel.
                                 ______
                                 
      By Mr. LEAHY (for himself, Mr. Grassley, Mr. Franken, Mr. Hatch, 
        Mr. Lee, and Ms. Klobuchar):
  S. 517. A bill to promote consumer choice and wireless competition by 
permitting consumers to unlock mobile wireless devices, and for other 
purposes; to the Committee on the Judiciary.
  Mr. LEAHY. Mr. President, today I am introducing bipartisan 
legislation that will help promote competition in the wireless industry 
and restore consumer choice. From 2006 until last year, an exemption to 
the Digital Millennium Copyright Act, DMCA, permitted cell phone users 
to ``unlock'' their cell phones when their contract expired, allowing 
them to change wireless providers and thereby promoting consumer 
choice. This exemption has enhanced competition in the cell phone 
market, but it was allowed to expire last year.
  Over the past few weeks and months, consumers have spoken clearly--
they want to retain the right to transfer their cell phones between 
wireless providers, if they so choose, when their contracts expire. I 
agree, which is why today I am pleased to introduce the Unlocking 
Consumer Choice and Wireless Competition Act, along with Senator 
Grassley, Senator Hatch, Senator Lee and Senator Franken, who chairs 
the Judiciary Committee's Subcommittee on Privacy, Technology and the 
Law. We are working closely with Chairman Goodlatte and members of the 
House Judiciary Committee to pass commonsense legislation and provide 
consumers with better choice.
  The Unlocking Consumer Choice and Wireless Competition Act 
reestablishes the Library of Congress's rule permitting cell phone 
unlocking. It also directs the Library to undertake a new proceeding to 
consider whether to broaden this exemption to allow unlocking of other 
wireless devices such as tablets. At a time when the line between phone 
and tablet is beginning to blur, it makes sense for the Library to 
consider extending this exemption to those devices as well.

[[Page S1595]]

  The DMCA maintains an important balance between protecting copyright 
owners and users. It was designed to be sufficiently flexible to meet 
the challenges of an ever-evolving digital copyright world. Every 3 
years, the Library of Congress conducts its public review of the 
exemptions permitted under the DMCA to help promote that flexibility. 
Unfortunately, in its most recent proceeding, there was not a 
sufficient record for the Library to continue the cell phone exemption, 
despite the strong merits of the rule. Our legislation restores the 
important exemption that had been in effect in previous years. Although 
Congress has stepped in in this instance to restore an important policy 
objective, I urge parties in future rulemakings to provide a more full 
record so that the rulemaking process can proceed as it was designed.
  When I wrote the DMCA, the law was intended to allow choice and 
protect consumers. This straightforward restoring bill furthers that 
objective. When consumers finish the terms of their contract, they 
should be able to keep their phones and make their own decision about 
which wireless provider to use. They should not be forced to stay with 
their original provider due to software that restricts a phone to only 
one network. I am pleased that many wireless providers already sell 
unlocked phones, or will unlock phones for consumers once contracts 
expire, but that does not mean that consumers should face penalties 
under the DMCA for taking those same steps on their own. This bill will 
protect and promote competition in the wireless market by allowing 
consumers to bring their phones with them to the provider that best 
suits their needs.
  I urge all Senators to support this narrow, commonsense legislation 
to protect consumers and promote competition.
  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. 517

       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 ``Unlocking Consumer Choice 
     and Wireless Competition Act''.

     SEC. 2. REPEAL OF EXISTING RULE AND ADDITIONAL RULEMAKING BY 
                   LIBRARIAN OF CONGRESS.

       (a) Repeal and Replace.--Paragraph (3) of section 201.40(b) 
     of title 37, Code of Federal Regulations, as amended and 
     revised by the Librarian of Congress on October 28, 2012, 
     pursuant to his authority under section 1201(a) of title 17, 
     United States Code, shall have no force and effect, and such 
     paragraph shall read, and shall be in effect, as such 
     paragraph was in effect on July 27, 2010.
       (b) Rulemaking.--Not later than 1 year after the date of 
     enactment of this Act, the Librarian of Congress, upon the 
     recommendation of the Register of Copyrights, who shall 
     consult with the Assistant Secretary for Communications and 
     Information of the Department of Commerce and report and 
     comment on his or her views in making such recommendation, 
     shall determine, consistent with the requirements set forth 
     under section 1201(a)(1) of title 17, United States Code, 
     whether to extend the exemption for the class of works 
     described in section 201.40(b)(3) of title 37, Code of 
     Federal Regulations, as amended by subsection (a), to include 
     any other category of wireless devices in addition to 
     wireless telephone handsets.
       (c) Rule of Construction.--Nothing in this Act alters, or 
     shall be construed to alter, the authority of the Librarian 
     of Congress under section 1201(a)(1) of title 17, United 
     States Code.
                                 ______
                                 
      By Ms. HIRONO (for herself, Mr. Begich, Mr. Cardin, Mr. Durbin, 
        Mr. Franken, Mrs. Gillibrand, Mr. Johnson of South Dakota, Mr. 
        Lautenberg, Mrs. Murray, Mr. Schatz, Mr. Schumer, and Mr. 
        Wyden):
  S. 519. A bill to amend the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 
1965 to improve early education; to the Committee on Health, Education, 
Labor, and Pensions.
  Ms. HIRONO. Mr. President, I rise today to introduce the Providing 
Resources Early for Kids Act of 2013--the PRE-K Act.
  Research shows that quality early education is foundational for 
success in school and in life.
  The PRE-K Act will help more children enter school ready to succeed. 
It creates a new federal-state partnership to provide better preschool 
opportunities for our country's children. High quality preschool makes 
the biggest difference, so this bill focuses on quality.
  The PRE-K Act would provide Federal grants to States to strengthen 
quality. States could use the funding to increase the number of highly 
trained early educators in preschool classrooms.
  The bill would improve the student-to-teacher ratios in preschools; 
provide vital comprehensive services such as health screenings and 
nutritional assistance.
  The bill would increase the hours per day and weeks per year families 
have access to high quality early education programs; and improve 
programs for our youngest children, from birth to three years old.
  States would need to coordinate with existing Head Start providers 
and their State Advisory Councils.
  The PRE-K Act recognizes that not all states have a high-quality 
state preschool program in place yet. This bill meets states where they 
are. States that already have a high-quality program could apply as 
``Qualified States'' and get money improve quality and expand to serve 
more children. Other States, like Hawaii, could apply as ``Selected 
States,'' earning Federal grants to establish a high-quality preschool 
program within two years.
  In Hawaii, Governor Abercrombie is leading the fight to build a State 
preschool program for low-income families. The PRE-K Act could support 
Hawaii's efforts through Federal partnership grants.
  Decades of research show that high quality early education programs 
can help kids enter kindergarten ready to learn and avoid falling 
behind. Later in life, kids who have high-quality preschool are more 
likely to avoid crime or teen pregnancy, graduate high school and 
college, earn more income, pay taxes, and need fewer public services.
  The studies have found that investing $1 in quality early learning 
can bring a return on investment of between $2 and $17 down the line. A 
University of Hawaii/Good Beginnings Alliance study of a theoretical 
Hawaii program found we'd get $4.20 for every $1 invested. In this 
tight fiscal environment, wise Federal spending is key. High quality 
early learning is one of the best investments we can make.
  That is why business and financial leaders, from the Hawaii Business 
Roundtable to Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke, agree that quality 
early education is critically important in providing the tools children 
need for success in school and in adulthood.
  Law enforcement officials know that quality early learning helps 
prevent kids from falling behind, dropping out of high school, or 
getting involved in crime. High-ranking military leaders have also 
stressed the importance of quality early education as a national 
security issue. Today 75 percent of Americans age 17 to 24 are 
ineligible for military service due to poor education, physical un-
fitness, or involvement with crime. Quality early learning helps kids 
get on the right path--before they fall behind.
  Parents know the high cost of child care is difficult to afford. If 
parents can't find child care, they can't go to work. Parents also want 
more than just supervision for their children. They want to know their 
children are being engaged by effective teachers who are preparing them 
academically, socially, and emotionally for success in school.
  Teachers and school administrators know firsthand that their students 
who come to kindergarten with quality preschool are more likely to 
succeed. Special education professionals and advocates for students 
with disabilities know that quality early learning can identify 
disabilities early and bring intervention to get kids on track with 
their peers.
  Education is the great equalizer, and starting children on an early 
path to success is critical. I have been working to strengthen quality 
early education for over a decade. As Lieutenant Governor, I helped 
establish Hawaii's Pre-Plus program, which constructed preschool 
classrooms for use by nonprofit, private, or public preschools. In the 
U.S. House of Representatives, I first introduced the PRE-K Act in 
2007. The

[[Page S1596]]

bill passed through the House Education and Labor Committee with a 
bipartisan vote. President Obama has made quality early learning a key 
part of his education platform. I helped lead a coalition of over 100 
bipartisan House members to enact and fund President Obama's Early 
Learning Challenge. We also fought for increases in Head Start and 
Child Care subsidies to serve more children and families.
  In his 2013 State of the Union address, President Obama called for 
new Federal support for high-quality state preschool. This is the first 
time in a generation that a president has used the State of the Union 
address to call for expanding preschool access. The PRE-K Act answers 
this call.
  The time is right. I look forward to working with my colleagues in 
the House and Senate to move this forward.
                                 ______
                                 
      By Mr. DURBIN (for himself, Mr. Blumenthal, and Mr. Harkin):
  S. 521. A bill to require the Secretary of Defense to award grants to 
fund research on orthotics and prosthetics; to the Committee on Armed 
Services.
  Mr. DURBIN. Mr. President, I want to tell you about a wounded 
warrior.
  He was fitted with a prosthetic leg that fit reasonably well and he 
was able to carry on with his life. But from time to time his leg would 
give out.
  He would fall, but he carried on.
  Then he and his wife were blessed with their first child. He was 
immensely happy to be a father. But he was terrified to hold his baby.
  He was afraid that his leg would give out and he would fall and hurt 
his baby.
  Can you imagine going to war to make the world safe for your children 
and then being afraid to hold your own child?
  One day this young father mentioned his fear to a prosthetics 
practitioner, who began researching other prosthetic legs and was able 
to find a leg that fit him better and was more stable.
  Finally, that new father was able to hold his baby without fear.
  Most Americans will never need for a prosthetic limb. But many do. 
They include people who suffer catastrophic injuries in battle and 
accidents and others who lose limbs to illnesses such as cancer and 
diabetes.
  For these people, proper-fitting, advanced prosthetics and orthotics 
fitted by highly trained, experienced clinicians can mean the 
difference between constant pain and discomfort--and a certain amount 
of anxiety, or living a happier, healthier and more productive life.
  Let me tell you about another veteran who lives in Illinois.
  He lost a leg in Vietnam.
  He was fitted with a prosthetic leg that included a hydraulic knee 
unit. That was the state of the art decades ago.
  Several times a year he would fall. Many of the falls resulted in 
broken bones and other injuries.
  This veteran was also overweight, with high blood pressure.
  About 6 years ago, he was fitted with his first computer-controlled 
knee.
  He had more stability and more range of motion. He moved with more 
confidence.
  With his new, advanced knee, he was able to exercise. He lost weight.
  His health improved and he was able to stop taking multiple 
medications. He is living a happier, healthier life.
  Finding the right prosthetic is more than luck or guess work. It 
requires a great deal of education, training and experience. There are 
many talented prosthetic clinicians working today in Veterans 
Administration Hospitals and other hospitals and rehabilitation 
clinics.
  But we have a problem. Just as the need for these health 
professionals is increasing, many are retiring.
  Wounded warriors deserve the best medical care our grateful Nation 
has to offer.
  Today, with Senators Blumenthal and Harkin, I am introducing two 
bills to help ensure that service members and veterans who need 
prosthetics receive the care and equipment they deserve.
  The first bill, the Wounded Warrior Workforce Enhancement Act, will 
establish a competitive grant program at the Department of Veterans 
Affairs to train more health professionals in the fields of orthotics 
and prosthetics.
  These grants can be used to create new degree programs or expand 
existing programs in these fields.
  Our bill will also require the VA to establish a Center of Excellence 
in Prosthetic and Orthotic Education to research and share information 
about the knowledge, skills, and training clinical professionals in the 
field need the most.
  The work at the Center would add to higher education's clinical 
expertise to train the students going into prosthetics and orthotics.
  The second bill we are introducing today, the Wounded Warrior 
Research Enhancement Act, directs the Secretary of Defense to establish 
an ongoing program of research and best practices in orthotics and 
prosthetics care.
  We ask OD to then make sure clinical professionals serving service 
members and veterans are kept up to date on innovations in technology 
and care.
  In the wars in both Iraq and Afghanistan, tens of thousands of our 
service members have been wounded by roadside bombs, rocket propelled 
grenades and small arms fire.
  As our involvement in these wars winds down, many returning veterans 
are living with complex wounds that require sophisticated prosthetics 
and orthotics.
  We can build on the breakthrough advances made by researchers at the 
Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago and by private providers such as 
Scheck & Siress, founded in Oak Park, IL.
  Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois, is home to the largest 
and oldest prosthetics and orthotics program in the Western Hemisphere.
  It offers first-rate master's level education and training and 
graduates 50 clinicians every year.
  Northwestern can be a model for other universities around the country 
to meet the needs of veteran amputees.
  New technologies are improving the quality of life for amputees. We 
need to make sure that clinicians in the field have the skills and 
training to help veterans take advantage of these advances.
  Recently the standard for entry-level qualifications for clinicians 
in prosthetics was changed to require a master's degree.
  That makes sense. There is a lot to know. But right now there are not 
enough master's degree programs in our universities to meet the current 
demands for prosthetics and orthotics technicians.
  Many experienced clinicians are nearing retirement age.
  Veterans are not the only people who benefit when we train more 
clinicians in the fields of prosthetics and orthotics.
  As America's population ages and rates of diabetes and cardiovascular 
disease increase, more Americans find themselves in need of prosthetics 
and orthotics. They, too, will benefit from this investment in research 
and training.
  When we ask our service members to risk their lives for us, they 
don't say, ``Ask me later.'' They go.
  If they come home needing a new limb, we shouldn't tell them, ``Ask 
me later.''
  We know that the VA is facing a critical and impending shortage of 
clinicians who are trained in prosthetics and orthotics.
  By working together now, we can prevent that shortage and help 
America's wounded warriors live the fullest lives possible. I hope my 
colleagues will join me in this effort.
  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. 521

       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 ``Wounded Warrior Research 
     Enhancement Act''.

     SEC. 2. ORTHOTIC AND PROSTHETIC RESEARCH.

       (a) Purpose.--The purpose of the grants described in this 
     section is to advance orthotic and prosthetic clinical care 
     for members of the Armed Forces, veterans, and civilians who 
     have undergone amputation, traumatic brain injury, and other 
     serious physical injury as a result of combat or military 
     experience.
       (b) Grants for Research on Patient Outcomes.--The Secretary 
     of Defense shall award grants to persons to carry out 
     research on the following:
       (1) The actions that can be taken to prevent amputation of 
     limbs.

[[Page S1597]]

       (2) The point in the course of patient treatment during 
     which orthotic and prosthetic intervention is most effective.
       (3) The orthotic interventions that are most effective in 
     treating the physical effects of traumatic brain injury.
       (4) The patients that benefit most from particular orthotic 
     and prosthetic technologies.
       (5) The orthotic and prosthetic services that best 
     facilitate the return to active duty of members of the Armed 
     Forces.
       (6) The effect of the aging process on the use of 
     prosthetics, including--
       (A) increased skin breakdown;
       (B) loss of balance;
       (C) falls; and
       (D) other issues that arise during the aging process.
       (c) Grants on Materials Research.--The Secretary shall 
     award grants to persons to carry out research on the 
     following:
       (1) The improvement of existing materials used in orthotics 
     and prosthetics for the purpose of improving quality of life 
     and health outcomes for individuals with limb loss.
       (2) The development of new materials used in orthotics and 
     prosthetics for the purpose of improving quality of life and 
     health outcomes for individuals with limb loss.
       (d) Grants on Technology Research.--The Secretary shall 
     award grants to persons to carry out research on the 
     following:
       (1) The improvement of existing orthotic and prosthetic 
     technology and devices for the purpose of improving quality 
     of life and health outcomes for individuals with limb loss.
       (2) The development of new orthotic and prosthetic 
     technology and devices for the purpose of improving quality 
     of life and health outcomes for individuals with limb loss.
       (e) Request for Proposals.--A person seeking the award of a 
     grant under this section shall submit to the Secretary an 
     application therefore in the form and accompanied by such 
     information as the Secretary shall require.
       (f) Award Requirements.--
       (1) Peer-reviewed proposals.--Grants under this section may 
     be awarded only for research that is peer-reviewed.
       (2) Competitive procedures.--Grants under this section 
     shall be awarded through competitive procedures.
       (g) Grant Use.--A person awarded a grant under subsection 
     (b), (c), or (d) shall use the grant amount to carry out the 
     research described in the applicable subsection.
       (h) Reports.--Not later than 180 days after the date of the 
     enactment of this Act, and annually thereafter, the Secretary 
     of Defense shall, in consultation with the Secretary of 
     Veterans Affairs, veterans, community-based clinicians, and 
     expert researchers in the field of orthotics and prosthetics, 
     submit to Congress a report setting forth the following:
       (1) An agenda for orthotic and prosthetic research that 
     identifies and prioritizes the most significant unanswered 
     orthotic and prosthetic research questions pertinent to the 
     provision of evidence-based clinical care to members of the 
     Armed Forces, veterans, and civilians.
       (2) For each report after the initial report under this 
     subsection--
       (A) a summary of how the grants awarded under subsection 
     (b) are addressing the most significant orthotic and 
     prosthetic needs; and
       (B) the progress made towards resolving orthotic and 
     prosthetic challenges facing members of the Armed Forces and 
     veterans.
       (i) Veteran Defined.--In this section, the term ``veteran'' 
     has the meaning given that term in section 101 of title 38, 
     United States Code.
       (j) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized 
     to be appropriated for fiscal year 2014 for the Department of 
     Defense for the Defense Health Program, $30,000,000 to carry 
     out this section.
                                 ______
                                 
      By Mr. DURBIN (for himself, Mr. Blumenthal, and Mr. Harkin):
  S. 522. A bill to require the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to award 
grants to establish, or expand upon, master's degree or doctoral degree 
programs in orthotics and prosthetics, and for other purposes; to the 
Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
  Mr. DURBIN. 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. 522

       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 ``Wounded Warrior Workforce 
     Enhancement Act''.

     SEC. 2. ORTHOTICS AND PROSTHETICS EDUCATION IMPROVEMENT.

       (a) Grants Required.--
       (1) In general.--The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall 
     award grants to eligible institutions to enable the eligible 
     institutions--
       (A) to establish a master's degree or doctoral degree 
     program in orthotics and prosthetics; or
       (B) to expand upon an existing master's degree program in 
     orthotics and prosthetics, including by admitting more 
     students, further training faculty, expanding facilities, or 
     increasing cooperation with the Department of Veterans 
     Affairs and the Department of Defense.
       (2) Priority.--The Secretary shall give priority in the 
     award of grants under this section to eligible institutions 
     that have entered into a partnership with a medical center or 
     clinic administered by the Department of Veterans Affairs or 
     a facility administered by the Department of Defense, 
     including by providing clinical rotations at such medical 
     center, clinic, or facility.
       (3) Grant amounts.--Grants awarded under this section shall 
     be in amounts of not less than $1,000,000 and not more than 
     $1,500,000.
       (b) Requests for Proposals.--
       (1) In general.--Not later than 90 days after the date of 
     the enactment of this Act and annually thereafter for two 
     years, the Secretary shall issue a request for proposals from 
     eligible institutions for grants under this section.
       (2) Proposals.--An eligible institution that seeks the 
     award of a grant under this section shall submit an 
     application therefor to the Secretary at such time, in such 
     manner, and accompanied by such information as the Secretary 
     may require, including--
       (A) demonstration of a willingness and ability to 
     participate in a partnership described in subsection (a)(2); 
     and
       (B) a commitment, and demonstration of an ability, to 
     maintain an accredited orthotics and prosthetics education 
     program after the end of the grant period.
       (c) Grant Uses.--
       (1) In general.--An eligible institution awarded a grant 
     under this section shall use grant amounts to carry out any 
     of the following:
       (A) Building new or expanding existing orthotics and 
     prosthetics master's or doctoral programs.
       (B) Training doctoral candidates in fields related to 
     orthotics and prosthetics to prepare them to instruct in 
     orthotics and prosthetics programs.
       (C) Training faculty in orthotics and prosthetics education 
     or related fields for the purpose of instruction in orthotics 
     and prosthetics programs.
       (D) Salary supplementation for faculty in orthotics and 
     prosthetics education.
       (E) Financial aid that allows eligible institutions to 
     admit additional students to study orthotics and prosthetics.
       (F) Funding faculty research projects or faculty time to 
     undertake research in the areas of orthotics and prosthetics 
     for the purpose of furthering their teaching abilities.
       (G) Renovation of buildings or minor construction to house 
     orthotics and prosthetics education programs.
       (H) Purchasing equipment for orthotics and prosthetics 
     education.
       (2) Limitation on construction.--An eligible institution 
     awarded a grant under this section may use not more than 50 
     percent of the grant amount to carry out paragraph (1)(G).
       (3) Admissions preference.--An eligible institution awarded 
     a grant under this section shall give preference in admission 
     to the orthotics and prosthetics master's or doctoral 
     programs to veterans, to the extent practicable.
       (4) Period of use of funds.--An eligible institution 
     awarded a grant under this section may use the grant funds 
     for a period of three years after the award of the grant.
       (d) Definitions.--In this section:
       (1) The term ``eligible institution'' means an educational 
     institution that offers an orthotics and prosthetics 
     education program that--
       (A) is accredited by the National Commission on Orthotic 
     and Prosthetic Education in cooperation with the Commission 
     on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs 
     (referred to in this section as the ``National Commission''); 
     or
       (B) demonstrates an ability to meet the accreditation 
     requirements for orthotic and prosthetic education from the 
     National Commission if the institution receives a grant under 
     this section.
       (2) The term ``veteran'' has the meaning given that term in 
     section 101 of title 38, United States Code.
       (e) Authorization of Appropriations.--
       (1) In general.--There is authorized to be appropriated for 
     fiscal year 2014 for the Department of Veterans Affairs, 
     $15,000,000 to carry out this section. The amount so 
     authorized to be appropriated shall remain available for 
     obligation until September 30, 2016.
       (2) Unobligated amounts to be returned to the treasury.--
     Any amounts authorized to be appropriated by paragraph (1) 
     that are not obligated by the Secretary as of September 30, 
     2016, shall be returned to the Treasury of the United States.

     SEC. 3. CENTER OF EXCELLENCE IN ORTHOTIC AND PROSTHETIC 
                   EDUCATION.

       (a) Grant for Establishment of Center.--
       (1) In general.--The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall 
     award a grant to an eligible institution to enable the 
     eligible institution to--
       (A) establish the Center of Excellence in Orthotic and 
     Prosthetic Education (hereafter in this section referred to 
     as the ``Center''); and
       (B) enable the eligible institution to improve orthotic and 
     prosthetic outcomes for veterans, members of the Armed 
     Forces, and civilians by conducting evidence-based research 
     on--

[[Page S1598]]

       (i) the knowledge, skills, and training most needed by 
     clinical professionals in the field of orthotics and 
     prosthetics; and
       (ii) how to most effectively prepare clinical professionals 
     to provide effective, high-quality orthotic and prosthetic 
     care.
       (2) Priority.--The Secretary shall give priority in the 
     award of a grant under this section to an eligible 
     institution that has in force, or demonstrates the 
     willingness and ability to enter into, a memoranda of 
     understanding with the Department of Veterans Affairs, 
     Department of Defense, or other appropriate Government 
     agency, or a cooperative agreement with an appropriate 
     private sector entity, which memorandum of understanding or 
     cooperative agreement provides for either, or both, of the 
     following:
       (A) The provision of resources, whether in cash or in kind, 
     to the Center.
       (B) To assist the Center in research and the dissemination 
     of the results of such research.
       (3) Grant amount.--The grant awarded under this section 
     shall be in the amount of $5,000,000.
       (b) Requests for Proposals.--
       (1) In general.--Not later than 90 days after the date of 
     the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall issue a 
     request for proposals from eligible institutions for a grant 
     under this section.
       (2) Proposals.--An eligible institution that seeks the 
     award of the grant under this section shall submit an 
     application therefor to the Secretary at such time, in such 
     manner, and accompanied by such information as the Secretary 
     may require.
       (c) Grant Uses.--
       (1) In general.--The eligible institution awarded the grant 
     under this section shall use the grant amount for purposes as 
     follows:
       (A) To develop an agenda for orthotics and prosthetics 
     education research.
       (B) To fund research in the area of orthotics and 
     prosthetics education.
       (C) To publish or otherwise disseminate research findings 
     relating to orthotics and prosthetics education.
       (2) Period of use of funds.--The eligible institution 
     awarded the grant under this section may use the grant amount 
     for a period of five years after the award of the grant.
       (d) Definitions.--In this section:
       (1) The term ``eligible institution'' means an educational 
     institution that--
       (A) has a robust research program;
       (B) offers an orthotics and prosthetics education program 
     that is accredited by the National Commission on Orthotic and 
     Prosthetic Education in cooperation with the Commission on 
     Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs;
       (C) is well recognized in the field of orthotics and 
     prosthetics education; and
       (D) has an established association with--
       (i) a medical center or clinic of the Department of 
     Veterans Affairs; and
       (ii) a local rehabilitation hospital.
       (2) The term ``veteran'' has the meaning given that term in 
     section 101 of title 38, United States Code.
       (e) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized 
     to be appropriated for fiscal year 2014 for the Department of 
     Veterans Affairs, $5,000,000 to carry out this section.

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