Advocacy Hub
Through NACo, advocate for county priorities in federal policy making
Congress votes to end longest federal government shutdown in history
On November 12, the U.S. House of Representatives voted to pass a Continuing Resolution and funding package (CR) to end the shutdown of the federal government that began October 1.
DOJ to Revisit Web Accessibility Rule, Aiming to Reduce Implementation Costs for Counties
DOJ has announced plans to explore ways to lower the cost of compliance with its 2024 Final Rule on web-based accessibility requirements for state and local governments.
NACo sends coalition letter on surface transportation priorities to congressional leaders
On November 5, NACo, in partnership with other members of the Local Officials in Transportation (LOT) Coalition, sent a letter to two key Congressional committees—the House Committee on Transportation & Infrastructure and the Senate Committee on Environmental & Public Works—outlining and reiterating the coalition’s top priorities for the next surface transportation reauthorization bill.
Bipartisan legislation encouraging active forest management advances in U.S. Senate
On January 23, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Fix Our Forests Act (H.R. 471/S. 1462), also known as FOFA. Initially introduced by Representatives Bruce Westerman (R-Ark.) and Scott Peters (D-Calif.), this bipartisan legislation will promote active forest management to curtail the wildfire crisis and protect rural communities, infrastructure and natural resources.
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announces it will not develop a recovery plan for the gray wolf
On November 3, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced it would not develop a national recovery plan for the gray wolf, which is currently considered endangered under the Endangered Species Act in much of the contiguous United States. The Service’s assessment, which determines that a nationwide recovery plan is no longer necessary for gray wolves, is consistent with previous federal agency findings that the species no longer warrant endangered or threatened species protection.
Advocacy Updates
Webinar Series
Inside Washington: County Impacts from the White House & Congress
Building off NACo’s First 100 Days webinar series, our biweekly Inside Washington series provides timely updates and analysis on key developments from the White House and Congress. Each session focuses on policies and actions that directly impact counties — from federal funding and regulatory changes to intergovernmental partnerships. Tune in every other week to stay informed on how these evolving federal dynamics may shape county priorities, responsibilities and operations.
American County Platform & Policy Briefs
All NACo's federal policy priorities are detailed in the American County Platform, NACo’s permanent policy document. NACo's policy briefs provide additional details by issue.
Primer for Counties: Payments in Lieu of Taxes (PILT) and Secure Rural Schools (SRS) Programs
The second report of the National Center for Public Lands Counties (NCPLC) provides foundational PILT and SRS program information to public lands counties including brief histories of both programs, detailed “mechanics” of payment administration and county-level issues, and policy considerations for both programs.
Federal Reforms to Medicaid Financing: What Counties Should Know
Learn about proposed federal reforms to Medicaid financing and their potential implications for county budgets and service delivery.
2026 Appropriations Tracker
The annual appropriations process begins each year with the president submitting a budget request to Congress, outlining the administration's priorities for the upcoming fiscal year. The NACo 2026 Appropriations Tracker provides counties with a comprehensive overview of the federal appropriations process, tracking the progress of key spending bills and offering insights on how these will impact county funding and services.
From Crisis to Solutions: Policy Catalysts for Improved Outcomes
As leaders of America’s counties, we call for urgent action – a new vision – on how we, as a prosperous and creative nation, promote the mental health and wellbeing of our communities and people, especially those who need more access to quality care and treatment.
Legislative Analysis for Counties: Farm, Food, and National Security Act
After months of negotiations, lawmakers on the House Committee on Agriculture advanced their version of the 2024 Farm Bill, dubbed the Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2024, after a committee markup on May 23. The bipartisan legislative package passed 31-22 with full support from committee Republicans and four Democratic votes.
Legislative analysis for counties: P.L. 118-63, the Federal Aviation Administration Reauthorization Act of 2024
Legislative analysis for counties: P.L. 118-63, the Federal Aviation Reauthorization Act of 2024.
Legislative Analysis: Impact of PFAS Regulations on Counties
NACo's analysis provides an in-depth examination of current and proposed regulations on per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and their implications for county governments.
Implementing Infrastructure Investments at the County Level: The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (P.L. 117-58)
The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law is a major victory for counties, who worked closely with our partners in Congress throughout the legislative process to ensure county priorities were included. NACo's implementation tracker highlights the latest information critical for counties.
Dive Deep
Access toolkits and resources to drive your own advocacy efforts on today's pressing issues.
American Rescue Plan Resource Hub
State and Local Coronavirus Fiscal Recovery Fund provided $65.1 billion in direct, flexible aid to every county in America. In this resource hub, find stories of counties investing these resource to support our residents, technical assistance in implementing these programs in your county and our latest analysis and research.
Farm Bill Reauthorization Resource Hub
Explore NACo resources, stay up-to-date on the state of play and advocate for key county priorities in the Farm Bill.
Supreme Court Advocacy Hub
Through our partnership with the Local Government Legal Center, NACo works to raise awareness of the importance of Supreme Court cases to county governments and help shape the outcome of cases of significance at the Supreme Court through persuasive and effective advocacy.
Medicaid Inmate Exclusion Policy (MIEP) Advocacy Toolkit
Find resources designed to help county officials educate Congress, the administration and the public on the importance providing access to federal health benefits for those awaiting trial and verdict decisions.
Waters of the U.S. Resource Hub
The definition of WOTUS directly impacts county governments as owners and operators of local infrastructure.
Payments in Lieu of Taxes Resource Hub
PILT provides payments to counties and other local governments to offset losses in tax revenues due to the presence of substantial acreage of federal land in their jurisdictions.
Policy Steering Committees & Regional Caucuses
NACo's policy steering committees cover the full array of domestic policy issues impacting county governments and our local communities. These committees meet at least twice each year to review and make recommendations on public policy issues and legislation. The policy development process initiated by the steering committees is the foundation for the American County Platform.