County Countdown – September 22, 2025
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.
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 announces Rural Health Transformation Program funding
On December 29, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced $50 billion in awards over 5 years to all 50 states under the Rural Health Transformation Program.
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.
DOI announces creation of new U.S. Wildland Fire Service
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.
Related News
NACo submits feedback on USDOT’s rural outreach initiative
On April 23, NACo submitted a response to a Request for Information (RFI) issued by the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) on its Rural Opportunities to Use Transportation for Economic Success (ROUTES) Initiative. Given the predominantly rural nature of counties and the important role that counties play in our nation’s transportation system, NACo is uniquely positioned to provide important feedback to USDOT on this topic.
NACo submits comments on 2030 Census Address Update Program
On April 20, 2026, NACo submitted formal comments to the U.S. Census Bureau on the proposed reinstatement of the Local Update of Census Addresses (LUCA) Operation for the 2030 Census. The Bureau had issued a Federal Register notice in February 2026 opening a 60-day public comment period on the program's design before submitting it to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for approval.
Senate passes budget resolution kicking off reconciliation 2.0 to fund DHS and CBP
On April 21, U.S. Senate Budget Committee Chairman Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) unveiled a budget resolution to advance a party-line reconciliation package focused on immigration enforcement and funding for agencies within the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), including the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). The resolution is the first step in a two-part process aimed at producing final legislation by June 1.
Upcoming Events
NACo Policy Insider Webinar Series: Understanding the Federal Landscape for Counties, May 7
Join NACo for a bi-weekly webinar offering an overview of the full federal policy landscape impacting counties.
NACo Policy Insider Webinar Series: Understanding the Federal Landscape for Counties, May 21
Join NACo for a bi-weekly webinar offering an overview of the full federal policy landscape impacting counties.
NACo Policy Insider Webinar Series: Understanding the Federal Landscape for Counties, June 4
Join NACo for a bi-weekly webinar offering an overview of the full federal policy landscape impacting counties.