County Countdown – May 19, 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.
House advances budget reconciliation bill
Three key House committees — Ways and Means, Energy and Commerce, and Agriculture — have marked up their sections of the reconciliation bill, including major provisions that directly impact counties.
- Positive provisions: The bill preserves tax-exempt municipal bonds, delays hospital payment cuts and reauthorizes Secure Rural Schools through fiscal year 2027.
- Ongoing concerns: The budget would increase Medicaid work requirements, cut the federal medical assistance percentage (FMAP) and shift Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) administrative costs, straining local budgets and services.
- SALT reform: Changes to the state and local tax deduction aim to address double taxation and maintain county revenue.
- Next step: The House Budget Committee voted to advance the bill and negotiations will continue before it’s voted on by the full House.
House committee releases FEMA reform proposal
The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee unveiled a draft FEMA reform bill with several positive inclusions for counties, reflecting NACo’s top disaster policy recommendations.
- Core reforms: The bill transitions FEMA to a grant-based model, streamlines environmental reviews and accelerates funding timelines.
- Local flexibility: It includes a universal disaster application and makes reforms to mitigation and assistance programs.
- Equity in planning: The proposal requires at least one pre-approved mitigation project per county to ensure fair access.
Infrastructure Week spotlights county leadership
Infrastructure Week highlighted the critical role counties play in maintaining and improving the nation’s infrastructure. Counties own 44% of roads and 38% of bridges.
- Policy push: NACo submitted letters urging congressional support for county priorities in surface transportation reauthorization.
- Financing focus: NACo hosted a roundtable defending the tax-exempt status of municipal bonds as vital to local infrastructure.
- Congressional testimony: Oswego County, N.Y. Clerk Terry Wilbur testified before Congress on the importance of brownfields reauthorization for economic revitalization.
New webinar series: Inside Washington
Due to popular demand, NACo has rebranded its First 100 Days webinar series as Inside Washington, which will provide timely updates on federal actions affecting counties.
- Fresh insights: Sessions will cover legislative and regulatory developments from Capitol Hill and the White House.
- Regular schedule: The series will air every other Thursday, with the next session on May 29 at 3:30 p.m. ET. You only have to register for the series once. After that, you use the same link every other week to tune in.
- County focus: Hear directly from NACo’s Government Affairs team on how national policy translates into local impact.
U.S. House passes reconciliation bill: What it means for counties
Counties should continue to advocate for county priorities to be included in the final budget reconciliation bill.
House draft bill text proposes FEMA reform package with major wins for counties
This week, the U.S. House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee’s Economic Development, Public Buildings and Emergency Management Subcommittee released draft bill text for a sweeping Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) reform package aimed at improving disaster response, streamlining aid and increasing local flexibility—reflecting many long-standing county priorities.
NACo sends letters to House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee urging support for county priorities in surface transportation reauthorization
On April 30, NACo submitted three letters to the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee outlining county priorities as Congress begins work on the next surface transportation reauthorization. The current authorization is set to expire on September 30, 2026, and renewing it is a key priority for the Committee in the 119th Congress.
Inside Washington: County Impacts from the White House & Congress, May 29
Join NACo’s Government Affairs team for week two 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.
Related News
Post-Disaster Protection Act advances through the House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee
On Sept. 15, the House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee passed the Post-Disaster Protection Act (H.R. 8409), favorably reporting it to the full legislative body for consideration.
Supreme Court declines emergency review of USPS mail-in ballot rule, leaving nationwide block in place
The Supreme Court ruled in a 6-3 decision to allow the Trump administration to move forward with its Executive Order 14399 directing the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to compile official U.S. citizenship lists to be used in voter citizenship verification and the U.S. Postal Service to impose new mail-in ballot restrictions.
Census Bureau proposes permanent changes to the 2030 Decennial Census
On September 10, the U.S Census Bureau published a proposed rule to the 2030 Decennial Census that would create two new parts of the 15 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) that among other changes would a) define “usual residence” that excludes foreign persons previously counted that are not U.S. citizens or lawful residents, and b) would eliminate any questions about race, ethnicity and sexual orientation from the census questionnaire used to enumerate the population. The proposed ruling outlines only 30 days for public comments, which are due on October 13.
Upcoming Events
Understanding the Proposed Rule on the Decennial Census and What it Means for Counties
Join us for an overview of the proposed rule with explanation of what is changing, how it could affect local government funding, and what counties need to know as the comment deadline approaches on October 13.
NACo Policy Insider Webinar Series: Understanding the Federal Landscape for Counties, October 8
Join NACo for a bi-weekly webinar offering an overview of the full federal policy landscape impacting counties.
NACo Public Promise Procurement Launches New Amazon Business Contract
Wednesday, September 23, 2026 | 1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. ET
Learn how your county can access over 300 million products and hundreds of thousands of third-party sellers through this new, nationally solicited Amazon Business contract, featuring fixed-term price ceilings across eight categories to keep your everyday purchasing compliant and cost-effective.
This contract works alongside your county's existing Amazon Prime membership, not in place of it, and activates through your current Amazon Business account executive; no new relationships required. You'll also get tools to customize how your county spends, including the ability to prioritize local and in-state businesses.
Hear directly from Douglas County, Neb., the Lead Public Agency behind this solicitation, on how the contract came together and learn how NACo's member-governed, peer-reviewed process gives your county confidence in every purchase.