This event took place on Zoom Webinar. The slides are available above.

Join NACo’s Government Affairs team for week ten of a biweekly series on key developments from the White House and Congress. Discussions will focus on policies and actions that directly impact counties — from federal funding and regulatory changes to intergovernmental partnerships. Tune in for an inside look at how these evolving federal dynamics may shape county priorities, responsibilities and operations.

Featured Resources

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What Counties Need to Know When a Government Shutdown Happens

Counties are calling on our federal partners to work in a bipartisan way to keep the federal government fully operational. As intergovernmental partners, any budget uncertainty at the federal level creates uncertainty at the local level as counties administer federal programs on the ground.

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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.

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Advocacy

Senate Banking Committee advances bipartisan housing reform legislation

On July 29, the U.S. Senate Committee on Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs unanimously advanced the bipartisan Renewing Opportunity in the American Dream (ROAD) to Housing Act, representing a significant opportunity for counties to address housing challenges through expanded funding, streamlined regulations and new grant programs.

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Advocacy

Senate passes Second Chance Act reauthorization

On May 22, the Second Chance Reauthorization Act of 2025 (H.R. 3552/S.1843) was introduced in the U.S. Senate and the U.S. House of Representatives with robust bipartisan support. NACo supports this legislation, which would reauthorize funding for Second Chance Act (P.L. 110-199) programs through 2030.

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H.R. 1 and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP): What Counties Should Know

Regardless of population size, geography and available resources, counties are deeply invested in our residents’ health and well-being.

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Fixing Emergency Management for Americans (FEMA) Act: A County-Level Analysis

On July 24, the U.S. House Transportation and Infrastructure (T&I) Committee Chair Sam Graves (R-Mo.) and Ranking Member Rick Larsen (D-Wash.) released the bipartisan Fixing Emergency Management for Americans (FEMA) Act (H.R.4669), to dramatically overhaul the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). This analysis outlines the bill’s key provisions and is designed to help county leaders understand the proposed reforms amid a shifting federal disaster framework.

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Surface Transportation Reauthorization Resource Hub

The Surface Transportation Reauthorization Bill is a crucial legislative framework that empowers counties to enhance and sustain the nation’s infrastructure and transportation networks.