ARPA Impact Report: An Analysis of How Counties are Addressing National Issues With Local Investments
America's nearly 40,000 county elected officials and 3.6 million county employees are on the frontlines of the nation's response to the coronavirus pandemic. As the country emerges from the pandemic and grapples with the toll it has taken on our citizens, counties are responding and rebuilding. At the same time, many counties are still confronting significant workforce shortage pressures at a time with growing, critical resident needs.
With American Rescue Plan funds, counties are strengthening America's workforce, addressing the nation's behavioral health crisis, expanding broadband access, improving housing affordability and building prosperous communities for the next generation.
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NACo Analysis of the American Rescue Plan Act
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County Investments of American Rescue Plan Recovery Funds
Senate Confirms New FEMA Administrator Cameron Hamilton
The U.S. Senate Confirmed Cameron Hamilton as the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Administrator, re-establishing a leader for the agency which faced significant staffing cuts in recent years.
Senators Introduce a Bill to Extend Assistance to Counties for Rebuilding After Natural Disasters
Sen. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) and Sen. Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) introduced a bill to extend the amount of time in which counties can access FEMA funds to pay disaster repair and reconstruction workers to up to two years following a natural disaster. This bill would provide increased flexibility and support for counties as they lead the front lines of disaster recovery.
Senate Agriculture Committee holds Farm Bill markup, remains in committee
On August 6, the U.S. Senate Agriculture Committee held a markup of the Agricultural Act of 2026, the Senate's version of the 2026 Farm Bill.
Senate Funding Bill Delivers a Win for Counties, Delaying OMB's Uniform Guidance Proposed Rule
The Senate Appropriations Committee releases CR language to fund the government until December 11 and delay the OMB proposed rule on Uniform Guidance that governs how every federal grant can be administered, a major win for counties.
Department of the Interior seeks public comment on recreation and wilderness proposals
On June 15, the U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI) announced proposed rulemaking on recreation in wilderness areas and sought public comment on changes to its wilderness area management policies. The announcement is part of DOI’s implementation of the EXPLORE Act, which required the department to issue guidance on recreational climbing in wilderness areas.