County Countdown – September 22, 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.
Congress continues negotiations ahead of government funding deadline
Contrasting government funding proposals have been introduced with House Republicans pushing for a "clean" seven-week stopgap funding bill, while Senate Democrats have introduced an alternative measure that would extend funding for four weeks with additional policy riders.
- Next steps: President Trump has indicated he will meet with House and Senate minority leaders to discuss a path forward.
- Why it matters: Counties rely on predictable federal funding to deliver services, and NACo continues to advocate for full-year, bipartisan appropriations agreements.
CMS launches $50B Rural Health Transformation Program
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has announced application details for the new Rural Health Transformation Program, created under H.R. 1.
- Massive investment: The program provides $10 billion annually starting fiscal 2026 through 2030 to strengthen local health care systems in rural areas.
- State-led plans: Only states can apply, but counties are urged to work with state leaders to shape proposals and define rural priorities.
Upcoming deadline: State applications are due Nov. 5, and awards are expected by Dec. 31.
NACo testifies before Congress on key county priorities
In three separate House hearings, NACo leaders emphasized counties’ roles in administering federal programs and managing federal lands.
- SNAP administration: Joy Bivens, deputy county administrator of Franklin County, Ohio, testified on the importance of improving local-state coordination for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program delivery.
- Public lands and energy: Commissioner Jerry Taylor of Garfield County, Utah, highlighted county involvement in balancing energy development and conservation.
- Rural development: Commissioner Paul Heimel of Potter County, Pa., remarked on USDA Rural Development's important role in empowering rural counties and recommended equitable county access to tools and funding.
USDA proposes repeal of longstanding Roadless Rule
The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced the intention to rescind the 2001 Roadless Rule, which restricts development on nearly 45 million acres of Forest Service land.
- Greater flexibility: Repeal would allow road construction and timber activity in previously restricted areas.
- Local input critical: NACo highlighted the importance of the county voice in shaping final rules to advance wildfire mitigation and strengthen rural economies.
- What’s next: With the comment period now closed, NACo continues engagement with USDA on implementation.
Federal agencies create new U.S. Wildland Fire Service
The Departments of the Interior and Agriculture have announced a new U.S. Wildland Fire Service to streamline wildfire response.
- Unified command: The initiative consolidates firefighting functions and standardizes hiring, pay and operations across agencies.
- New intelligence hub: A Fire Intelligence Center will be established to coordinate wildfire mitigation, response and recovery efforts.
- County engagement: Both departments have committed to including counties in the rollout of these structural changes.
House passes clean Continuing Resolution to fund the government through November 21
On September 16, the U.S. House passed the text of the Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2026 to extend government funding at current levels through November 21.
CMS releases Rural Health Transformation Program funding opportunity
On September 2, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released additional details on the Rural Health Transformation (RHT) Program, overviewing program goals, requirements and timelines.
NACo testifies on the county role in administering SNAP
On September 9, Franklin County, Ohio Deputy County Administrator Joy Bivens testified on behalf of NACo before the U.S. House Agriculture Subcommittee on Nutrition and Foreign Agriculture at a hearing titled “Exploring State Options in SNAP.”
U.S. Forest Service announces recission of Roadless Rule in National Forests
On August 29, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will repeal the 2001 Roadless Rule, which prohibited road construction, reconstruction and logging on almost 45 million acres of U.S. Forest Service land.
USDA and DOI announce major actions to streamline federal wildfire response
On September 15, the U.S. Departments of the Interior (DOI) and Agriculture (USDA) announced major joint directives to change how the agencies will coordinate and provide wildfire response, including the creation of a new U.S. Wildland Fire Service within Interior.
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FEMA bill staffers offer insights into reform effort
NACo Intergovernmental Disaster Reform Task Force heard from staffers who helped shape a bill that would make dramatic changes to the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
U.S. Department of Agriculture releases plan to strengthen beef industry
On October 22, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced its plan in a white paper to stabilize and strengthen the nation’s beef industry. USDA’s white paper lays out a long-term strategy that aims to reverse these trends by improving the resilience of the domestic beef industry, increasing consumer access to American beef products and boosting demand
County Leaders Advocate for FEMA Act in Visit to Washington, D.C.
Nearly two dozen county leaders from 15 states are in attendance this week at a National Association of Counties (NACo) fly-in focused on disaster reform.
Upcoming Events
Inside Washington: County Impacts from the White House & Congress, November 13
Join NACo’s Government Affairs team for week twelve 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.
What to Expect from the Current Supreme Court Term: Cases Impacting Local Government
Hosted by the Local Government Legal Center (LGLC), join legal experts in a discussion of the new Supreme Court term and what decisions local governments should watch.
Inside Washington: County Impacts from the White House & Congress, December 11
Join NACo’s Government Affairs team for week thirteen 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.