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Data mining is emerging as one of the key features of many homeland security initiatives. Often used as a means for detecting fraud, assessing risk, and product retailing, data mining involves the use of data analysis tools to discover previously unknown, valid patterns and relationships in large data sets. This report discusses the data mining uses (i.e. Terrorism Information Awareness (TIA) Program) and issues (i.e. data quality, interoperability, privacy), as well as the limitations of data mining.

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Aerial refueling aircraft are key to military air operations. The U.S. tanker fleet is numerous and effective, but old. Modernizing or replacing the current fleet of tankers presents the Department of Defense (DOD) with difficult choices in terms of desired capabilities, force structure, and budget. The Air Force’s proposal to lease 100 Boeing 767 aircraft to replace it’s KC-135E fleet is controversial.

This report contains background information and issues of broadband internet access.

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This report discusses the relationship between the U.S. and Kazakhstan. Kazakhstan is becoming an important power in Central Asia by virtue of its large territory, ample natural resources, and strategic location. However, it faces political, ethnic, economic, and environmental challenges to its stability and integrity. After the terrorist attacks on the United States on September 11, 2001, Kazakhstan granted overflight rights for U.S.-led coalition actions in Afghanistan, and in 2003 provided some troops for post-conflict rebuilding in Iraq.

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The term "unfunded mandates" generally refers to requirements that a unit of government imposes without providing funds to pay for costs of compliance. The Unfunded Mandates Reform Act (UMRA) establishes mechanisms to limit federal imposition of unfunded mandates on other levels of government and on the private sector. This report provides a summary of UMRA and any related issues.

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The issue of women’s rights in Iraq has taken on new relevance, following the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq in 2003, efforts to reconstruct Iraq, and recent elections for a Transitional National Assembly (TNA). Over the past three years, the Bush Administration has reiterated its interest in ensuring that Iraqi women participate in politics and ongoing reconstruction efforts in Iraq. There has also been a widening debate regarding the extent to which the U.S.-led reconstruction efforts have been able to enhance women’s rights in Iraq and encourage their participation in Iraq’s governing institutions.

This report provides information about The 2003 Treaty on Extradition Between the United States and Great Britain where the treaty proved controversially before the senate would give its contest it insisted upon modifications, some quite unusual.

This report provides information about the Implications of the Medicare Prescription Drug Benefit for Dual Eligibles and State Medicaid Programs. The report states the changes to eligibility for dual eligibles, changes to the scope of prescription coverage of the drugs.

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CRS Report for Congress entailing information about changes being made to the law because of the Individuals with Disabilities Act (IDEA). Topics include, eligibility by jurisdiction, safeguarding, evaluation and Individualized Education Programs (IEPS), etc..

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An estimated 41.2 million people were without health insurance in 2001. Legislation under consideration by the 108th and earlier Congresses is intended to assist small employers in offering health insurance as a benefit to their workers. A new bill, H.R. 4281, introduced on May 5, 2004, The Small Business Health Fairness Act of 2003 (H.R. 6601s. 545), and a number of bills from the earlier Congresses include provisions creating new groups for small firms to join or encouraging the growth of existing groups so that small employers can band together to offer coverage to their employees.

Report detailing the attempts to regulate mercury emissions from electric utilities, including an investigation, potential challenges, and more.

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This report presents the tax thresholds for various families for tax year 2004.

The article summarizes the deficiency in the Army's budget as tensions rose in Iraq in 2004. Moreover, the report includes monthly data on the cost of military action in Iraq and recommends the gathering of further data to better assess the cost. Richard Myers, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff estimated a budget shortfall of 4 billion dollars, and explained that the Department of Defense (DOD) was assessing if further funds would be needed.