County Countdown – October 7, 2024
Upcoming Events
Related News

Every other week, NACo's County Countdown reviews top federal policy advocacy items with an eye towards counties and the intergovernmental partnership.
Watch the video above and explore NACo resources below.
Continuing resolution averts federal government shutdown
On September 25, Congress passed a bipartisan measure to keep the federal government open until December 20, 2024.
- County priorities: This resolution includes some progress on county priorities, such as funding for FEMA’s disaster relief fund and support for rural air transportation.
- Advocating for SRS: The measure does not include the renewal of the Secure Rural Schools program, which funds counties with national forests. Counties are urging Congress to address this issue before the current funding extension runs out.
- More to come: This bill was passed before Hurricane Helene’s devastating impact on the southeast, so Congress is likely to readdress disaster funding in the coming weeks and months.
Senate advances the Disaster Survivors Fairness Act
The Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee advanced the Disaster Survivors Fairness Act, which aims to enhance FEMA’s disaster assistance programs and give FEMA more tools to help people and communities recover.
- County impact: This bill would simplify the process for disaster survivors to apply for assistance, make the system more transparent, and provide more direct aid for rebuilding.
- Advocacy in action: Counties lead the way in helping residents recover after a disaster, so we are taking action to urge swift passage of this bill.
Truck size and weight limits
NACo has consistently spoken out against efforts to increase the size and weight limits for trucks on our roads. Larger, heavier trucks would cause more damage to local roads and bridges, which are already costly to maintain.
- Why it matters: Counties own nearly half of all public roads and one in four bridges, and the increased wear and tear from bigger trucks would necessitate additional federal support.
- What we're doing: NACo is working hard to convince Congress to keep current truck size and weight limits in place to protect local infrastructure and ensure safety on our roads.
Interest relief for counties with disaster-related loans
In mid-September, the U.S. House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee advanced a slate of bills that address disaster relief, fire management and extreme weather response.
- FEMA Loan Interest Payment Relief Act: This key bill would allow counties to get reimbursed for the interest they pay on loans used for FEMA-approved disaster recovery projects.
- Speeding up recovery: Covering these interest costs would reduce the financial strain on counties and help speed up recovery efforts after a disaster.
Election observers to monitor this November’s elections
Congress has renewed the Congressional Election Observer Program ahead of the November 2024 elections. This program trains congressional staff to monitor elections in close races.
- Limited role for observers: Observers are allowed to watch election processes like ballot counting and storage but are not allowed to interfere in any way. Counties still have control over their polling places and can remove observers who break the rules.
- Building trust: This program has been around for years, building trust and ensuring transparency in tight congressional races. NACo is using this program as an opportunity to continue to educate our federal partners about the county role in elections.
Related News

U.S. Senate passes amended reconciliation bill text: What it means for counties
On July 1, the U.S. Senate narrowly passed their version of sweeping budget reconciliation legislation.

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.

Diversion project spells relief from Fargo-area flooding
After suffering several top-10 worst floods in just a few years, Cass County, N.D. citizens voted for a sales tax that funds a massive diversion project that should protect the growing region from the Red River’s swells.
Upcoming Events

Legislative Landscape: Prescription Drug Costs & County Impacts
Curious about Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBM) and how they impact your county’s pharmacy benefits? This webinar from NACo's Public Promise Insurance breaks down what PBMs do, why they matter to counties, and how new legislation may reshape the cost and delivery of prescription drugs.