County Countdown – January 14, 2025

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Every other week, NACo's County Countdown reviews top federal policy advocacy items with an eye towards counties and the intergovernmental partnership.


Congress passes continuing resolution to fund the federal government

The U.S. Congress recently approved a continuing resolution to fund the federal government through March 14, 2025. 

  • County impact: This move ensures stability for counties that rely on federal funding for vital services like infrastructure, human services and public safety. 
  • NACo advocacy: We continue to advocate for a long-term funding solution to provide counties with the certainty needed for effective planning and program delivery.
  • For more information on the status specific of FY 2025 spending bills and county funding priorities, access NACo’s FY 2025 Appropriations Tracker.

Critical disaster relief funding secured

Counties are applauding the passage of legislation providing billions of dollars in disaster relief funding. This funding is essential to help communities recover from recent natural disasters while preparing for future challenges. 

  • Critical county role: Counties are at the forefront of disaster mitigation and response, and these resources bolster our ability to protect residents and infrastructure. 
  • More from NACo: NACo recently announced the formation of the Intergovernmental Disaster Reform Task Force to modernize federal disaster policies, strengthen intergovernmental partnerships and enhance local disaster mitigation, response and recovery capacities.

Other key wins for counties

Counties are celebrating a series of other legislative victories that directly impact our communities. 

Social Security Fairness Act becomes law

President Biden signed the Social Security Fairness Act into law, repealing the Windfall Elimination Provision and Government Pension Offset. 

  • Fair treatment for public employees: This ensures that public employees, including many county workers, receive fair treatment in retirement benefits. 
  • County win: This is a major victory for the public workforce, supporting those who have dedicated their careers to serving our communities.

Register for NACo’s 2025 Legislative Conference and submit your interim policy resolutions

Registration is now open for NACo’s 2025 Legislative Conference, which will take place March 1-4 in Washington, D.C. 

  • Join nearly 2,000 county leaders for policy discussions, federal advocacy, and opportunities to meet with members of Congress and federal officials. 
  • Policy resolutions: NACo’s Interim Policy Resolutions Portal is now open, giving counties the chance to shape NACo’s federal policy priorities by submitting resolutions for consideration.

Featured This Week

Capitol
Advocacy

U.S. Congress passes continuing resolution to fund the government until March 14, 2025

The U.S. Congress passed a second Continuing Resolution (CR) to extend federal spending and avert a government shutdown through March 14, 2025. 

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Press Release

Counties Applaud Passage of Critical Disaster Relief Funding

NACo today applauded Congress on county-specific provisions of the American Relief Act, 2025. In addition to ensuring the federal government remains open through March of 2025, the package includes $110 billion in disaster assistance for relief efforts across the U.S.

Social Security reform
Advocacy

Social Security Fairness Act signed into law

President Biden signed the bipartisan Social Security Fairness Act into law, repealing the Windfall Elimination Provision.

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Advocacy

Now accepting interim policy resolutions for the 2025 NACo Legislative Conference

Submit policy resolutions by February 5, 2025.

Related News

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Advocacy

NACo sends letter to congressional appropriations committees urging federal investments in county government activities

On July 9, NACo sent a letter to leaders of the U.S. House and U.S. Senate Appropriations Committees urging them to adequately fund key federal programs of importance to counties in the Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 discretionary appropriations bills.

Former FEMA Administrator Brock Long (left) and Harris County, Texas Commissioner Adrian Garcia discuss FEMA reform efforts July 13 before members of the NACo Intergovernmental Disaster Reform Task Force. Photo by Denny Henry
County News

Former FEMA chief is bearish on reform talks

Former FEMA Administrator Brock Long has yet to hear any proposals for federal disaster reform that would make a significant improvement to the way it operates.

Texas National Guard troops use boats to search for survivors in Kerr County following floods that began in the region on July 4, 2025. More than 230 Guard personnel are working in three counties to clear debris and conduct search and rescue operations. Photo courtesy of the Texas National Guard
County News

Texas Hill Country floods kill more than 100 across six counties

Nineteen different local and state agencies are involved with the search and rescue efforts over six counties following flash flooding in Texas' Guadalupe River. 

Upcoming Events

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Webinar

Inside Washington: County Impacts from the White House & Congress, July 24

Join NACo’s Government Affairs team for week five 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.

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Webinar

Supreme Court Review for Local Governments: 2024-2025

Hosted by the Local Government Legal Center (LGLC), join legal experts in a discussion of the Supreme Court’s important decisions of the term impacting local governments.

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Webinar

Inside Washington: County Impacts from the White House & Congress, August 21

Join NACo’s Government Affairs team for week six 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.