County Countdown – October 20, 2025

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

​Counties urge end to federal government shutdown​

Now entering its third week, the federal government shutdown is disrupting critical local–federal partnerships. NACo has ​issued a statement​ calling on Congress and the President to act urgently to reopen the government.

• Why it matters: Counties rely on $62 billion in federal intergovernmental revenue to support critical services, including emergency response and public safety.
• Ripple effects: Without federal funding, county-led programs for vulnerable populations, disaster recovery and transportation ​could face major disruptions​.

​​​Major housing reform advances in Senate​

On Oct. 9, the ROAD to Housing Act ​passed the Senate​ as a floor amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act, bringing a major bipartisan housing reform package one step closer to becoming law.

• What’s included: The legislation reauthorizes the Home Investment Partnerships (HOME) program, permanently authorizes the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Disaster Recovery program and modernizes the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Rural Housing Service programs.
• Caution for counties: A proposed formula change ties CDBG allocations to new construction rates, potentially cutting funds for slower-growth areas.

​Senate passes Second Chance Reauthorization Act​

Funding for programs that help formerly incarcerated individuals successfully reintegrate into communities would be extended under ​the Second Chance Reauthorization Act​, which now advances to the U.S. House.

• County relevance: Counties have received over one-third of Second Chance Act grants, which fund housing, substance use treatment and employment services.
• Expanded support: ​The bill​ would enhance grants critical for addressing behavioral health, including more funding for supportive housing, peer recovery services and overdose prevention.

​​​NACo advocates for county priorities in transportation reauthorization​

As lawmakers work on the next ​surface transportation bill​, NACo is asking for stronger investments in locally owned infrastructure.

• Why it matters: Counties own 44% of public roads and 38% of bridges, yet county-owned infrastructure is twice as likely to be in poor condition as state-owned. NACo ​submitted extensive recommendations​ to the U.S. Department of Transportation in August.
• Our priorities: NACo is pushing for expanded rural road safety programs, targeted bridge repair funding, rail safety legislation and increased infrastructure funding to match proposed heavier truck weights.
• Transportation fly-in: This week, county leaders will convene in Washington, D.C., to attend meetings on Capitol Hill where they will advocate for these priorities.

​​FEMA reform bill moves out of committee​​​

Following years of NACo advocacy, the bipartisan ​Fixing Emergency Management for Americans (FEMA) Act​ passed out of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee.

• Big changes: ​The bill​ would convert FEMA's Public Assistance Program from reimbursement to grants, speed up project approval and disbursement of funds, and allow counties to purchase supplies under the same rules as states.
• What’s next: NACo’s ​Intergovernmental Disaster Reform Task Force​ will be in Washington, D.C., next week to meet with lawmakers and push for final passage.