County Countdown – June 30, 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.


​​​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.

Featured This Week

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Press Release

County Leaders Visit Washington to Share Local Perspective on Budget Reconciliation

Elected officials from five states sound alarm about administrative and funding changes to SNAP and Medicaid.

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Advocacy

DHS releases list identifying sanctuary jurisdictions; includes nearly 400 counties

NACo, along with the National League of Cities, and the International Municipal Lawyers Association, requested additional clarification on the methodology used to create the list, and noted concerns around the legal challenges that localities face when complying with ICE detainers. As of this time, NACo has yet to hear of a county receiving a formal notification that they were included on the list.

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Advocacy

White House signs executive orders to advance nuclear power

On May 23, President Trump signed four executive orders focused on expanding the nuclear energy industry. The executive orders aim to position nuclear power as a key contributor to energy reliability, economic growth and national security — especially as artificial intelligence, advanced manufacturing and military operations increase demand for stable, high-density power sources. 

Related News

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Advocacy

DHS releases list identifying sanctuary jurisdictions; includes nearly 400 counties

NACo, along with the National League of Cities, and the International Municipal Lawyers Association, requested additional clarification on the methodology used to create the list, and noted concerns around the legal challenges that localities face when complying with ICE detainers. As of this time, NACo has yet to hear of a county receiving a formal notification that they were included on the list.

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Advocacy

NACo submits recommendations on the 2026 National Drug Control Strategy

On June 20, NACo submitted formal comments to the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) to help shape the development of its 2026 National Drug Control Strategy. This strategy serves as the nation’s blueprint for reducing illicit drug use, and the ONDCP plays a central role in coordinating federal drug policy across government agencies.

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Advocacy

Supreme Court’s Trump v. Casa, Inc. ruling limits use of nationwide injunctions: what this means for counties

On June 27, the U.S. Supreme Court issued a 6-3 decision in Trump v. Casa, Inc. limiting federal district court judges' ability to issue universal injunctions to prevent federal policies from going into effect nationwide.

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 7

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.