County priorities in the lame duck session: Key advocacy efforts for local leaders
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Now that the 2024 elections are over and as the congressional lame-duck session progresses, lawmakers are working to address critical priorities before the year ends. NACo is actively collaborating with Congress and the administration to advance key county issues, including disaster relief, infrastructure funding and critical reauthorizations. County leaders play a vital role in shaping these outcomes, and the information below is designed to support their advocacy efforts to ensure federal policies align with local needs.
In addition to the lame duck legislative priorities outlined below, another key item counties should be aware of is the quickly approaching December 31, 2024, obligation deadline for counties to invest their American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (SLFRF). Counties nationwide are assessing how best to allocate these critical resources. Passed in 2021, the ARPA SLFRF provided $65.1 billion in direct, flexible aid to counties, parishes and boroughs across the United States, offering a unique opportunity to respond to immediate pandemic-related needs, support long-term recovery, and strengthen community resilience.
The obligation deadline means counties must not only allocate these funds but also have contractual commitments in place before the year ends. If your county does not allocate funds by the December 31, 2024 deadline, you will be required to send back funds to the U.S. Department of Treasury. NACo, the National League of Cities (NLC) and the Treasury Department hosted a webinar to help counties meet their obligation goals and stay in compliance with federal requirements. For more about the obligation deadline, view NACo’s obligations FAQ webpage here and top 5 obligation insights here.
The current Continuing Resolution (CR) that Congress passed to extend appropriations beyond September 30 is set to expire at midnight on December 20, 2024. With no bipartisan agreement on final Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 appropriations, Congress will look to pass another CR into the New Year. Counties rely on federal funds determined through the annual appropriations process to provide vital services to our residents. We urge Congress and the President to finalize FY 2025 appropriations as soon as possible and commit to working together to reach an agreement on all spending legislation by Oct. 1 of each year.
Learn more Advocacy Template Letter for your County
On November 18, the White House submitted a $98.6 billion disaster relief funding request to Congress to address recent disasters such as Hurricanes Helene and Milton, the Maui wildfires, and Midwest tornadoes. This funding is critical to helping counties recover from unprecedented devastation and sustain essential services for their communities. However, the request has only initiated the Congressional appropriation process, and the final funding amounts remain uncertain. Counties urge Congress to prioritize robust disaster funding in the supplemental package.
NACo's Disaster Intergovernmental Task Force highlights the essential role counties play in disaster response and recovery, advocating for federal resources to rebuild resilient communities. Counties are encouraged to contact their members of Congress, emphasizing the importance of passing disaster relief funding swiftly to meet immediate recovery needs and address the unmet impacts of prior disasters.
Learn more Advocacy Template Letter for your County
The Secure Rural Schools (SRS) program is a lifeline for rural counties and schools affected by declining timber harvests on federal lands. It provides essential funding for critical services, including infrastructure maintenance, search and rescue operations, disaster preparedness, and education. Without Congressional action, SRS payments will end in 2025, leaving forest counties facing significant budget shortfalls that could severely impact local services