County Countdown – June 30, 2025

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

​​​Senate reconciliation proposal shifts costs to counties

The Senate is now considering the House-passed reconciliation bill, which includes ​harmful cost shifts for counties​, particularly those administering the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and contributing to ​Medicaid​.

• SNAP and Medicaid impacts: Counties in 10 states could be forced to cover more than $850 million annually in additional SNAP costs, while reduced Medicaid matching funds could devastate state budgets in 24 states and the District of Columbia.
• Key advocacy points: NACo is pushing to preserve tax-exempt municipal bonds, oppose a 10-year AI moratorium that ​limits local authority​ and prevent cost shifts that could force counties to cut services or raise taxes.

​​​Local governments request DHS transparency on sanctuary designations​

NACo, the International Municipal Lawyers Association and the National League of Cities ​sent a joint letter​ to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Department of Justice (DOJ) urging clarity on how sanctuary jurisdictions are designated.

• Flawed rollout: DHS initially ​released a list​ of nearly 400 counties before removing it June 1, with no updates since.
• What counties want: The coalition is requesting clear criteria, an appeals process and guidance on how existing court orders are considered in federal decisions.

​​​NACo launches tracker for federal funding freezes​

NACo’s new ​Federal Funding Freeze Tracker​ documents the real-time impact of executive orders on county programs and infrastructure investments.

• Wide-ranging effects: The freeze jeopardizes USDA support for rural communities and funding for essential infrastructure, including roads and bridges.
• Supporting county planning: The tracker helps counties understand where federal revenue is at risk and how to plan for service delivery changes.

​​Orders to expand nuclear energy highlight county role

President Trump ​signed four executive orders​ to rapidly expand U.S. nuclear energy capacity, with counties playing a central role in future siting and permitting.

• National targets: The orders aim to grow capacity from 100 to 400 gigawatts and deploy reactors on military bases within three years.
• Local input needed: NACo supports nuclear innovation, but counties continue to advocate for clear guidance and a seat at the table to ensure local voices are included in decisions around siting, permitting and regulation of nuclear facilities.

​​Senate passes Secure Rural Schools; House must follow

The Senate unanimously passed the Secure Rural Schools Reauthorization Act on June 18, ​providing critical funding​ to more than 700 forested counties with limited property tax bases.

• Essential support: SRS funds schools, roads, emergency services and forest management in communities where federal lands limit local tax revenue.
• Next step: NACo urges the House to quickly pass this bipartisan legislation to ​protect basic services​ in rural America.