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A Senate leader grilled Bush administration officials about when, if ever, they would implement a new law aimed at increasing business assistance for veterans and reservists.

Kerry asked Small Business Administration chief Steven Preston about plans to implement a new law, signed in mid-February, that tries to help small businesses owned by veterans or members of the National Guard and reserve during a Wednesday hearing. The law creates a new no-collateral loan and establishes a task force to oversee ways to expand business opportunities, increase access to capital and lower loan fees.

Kerry said he was surprised no money has been requested. “It is kind of an unfortunate charade if veterans are being told that Congress passed a bill to help them get into business, and then they try to do it and we say there is no money,” he said. “We did not intend for that.”