Advocacy Hub
Through NACo, advocate for county priorities in federal policy making
Get Involved
Get involved and make a difference. Learn how you can join a NACo committee or caucus and drive our federal policy agenda.
Take Action to Support County Priorities
Counties play an instrumental role in the overall public administration and governance of federal, state and local policies, programs and services.
NACo supports federal policies and programs that equip county governments with the resources and flexibility needed to effectively serve our residents. NACo works to preserve local decision making and protect counties from unfunded mandates and preemption of local authority. Since counties implement many federal programs at the local level and must enforce many federal regulations, NACo encourages meaningful intergovernmental consultation with counties throughout all federal policy, program and regulatory development processes.
NACo Federal Policy Priorities
2023–2024 American County Platform and Resolutions
The American County Platform is NACo’s permanent policy document, reflecting the philosophy and broad objectives of NACo’s membership.
2024 Federal Policy Priorities
NACo supports federal policies and programs that equip county governments with the resources and flexibility needed to serve our residents effectively.
Policy Briefs
Explore the updated legislative policy briefs for NACo's ten policy steering committees.
County Countdown
April 1, 2024
Every other week, NACo’s County Countdown reviews top federal policy advocacy items with an eye towards counties and the intergovernmental partnership.
FCC takes critical steps to improve the 988 National Suicide Lifeline
On March 21, bipartisan congressional leaders and FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel announced steps to improve the 988 National Suicide Lifeline. This announcement marks major progress on the nation’s crisis response, a priority for counties and a key policy pillar of the NACo Commission on Mental Health and Wellbeing.
Legislative Analysis for Counties: FY 2024 Appropriations
In March 2024, Congress passed and the president signed two Fiscal Year (FY) 2024 “minibus” appropriations bills to fund the federal government through September 30, 2024.
Department of Homeland Security unveils new Artificial Intelligence Roadmap
On March 18, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) unveiled its first “Artificial Intelligence (AI) Roadmap.” The roadmap details DHS’s 2024 planned initiatives in AI, describing the potential of AI technologies across DHS and offering clearer visibility into its approach to AI.
Fire and emergency responders grant now open for counties
On March 11, the U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) announced the opening of the Fiscal Year 2023 Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) grant program.
Treasury Department highlights important resources ahead of annual ARPA Recovery Funds P&E Report deadline on April 30
Annual Project and Expenditure Reports are due to the U.S. Treasury Department on April 30 for all counties, parishes and boroughs that received ARPA Recovery Funds.
Legislative Analysis for Counties: FY 2024 Appropriations
In March 2024, Congress passed and the president signed two Fiscal Year (FY) 2024 “minibus” appropriations bills to fund the federal government through September 30, 2024.
NACo Federal Funding Matrix
NACo is your voice in Washington. Our experts review federal funding opportunities for counties daily. Explore our interactive funding matrix to find support for your local priorities.
Latest Policy Analysis
Conference
2023 Rural Action Caucus Symposium
This fall, the 2023 Rural Action Caucus (RAC) Symposium will convene senior elected and appointed county officials alongside national thought leaders and industry partners in Greenbrier County, West Virginia to identify rural challenges and elevate solutions through peer-to-peer information exchanges and national policy discussions.
Policy Steering Committees
Caucuses
Ad Hoc & Task Force Committees
Artificial Intelligence Exploratory Committee
NACo's AI Exploratory Committee covers emerging policies, practices and potential applications and consequences of Artificial Intelligence (AI), through the lens of county government governance, operations, constituent services, innovation, public trust, privacy, and security, and workforce productivity.
NACo Commission on Mental Health and Wellbeing
Launched in February 2023, the NACo Commission on Mental Health and Wellbeing brings together county leaders from across the nation to take action to address the ever-growing mental health crisis from the county government perspective.
Legislative Analysis for Counties: FY 2024 Appropriations
In March 2024, Congress passed and the president signed two Fiscal Year (FY) 2024 “minibus” appropriations bills to fund the federal government through September 30, 2024.
Legislative Analysis for Counties: H.R. 3935, the Securing Growth and Robust Leadership in American Aviation Act
In June 2023, the U.S. House and U.S. Senate Congressional committees with jurisdiction over aviation introduced bipartisan versions of bills that would reauthorize funding for the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Aviation Administration.
County Election Administration Federal Advocacy Toolkit
The nation’s 3,069 counties traditionally administer and fund elections at the local level, including overseeing polling places and coordinating poll workers for federal, state and local elections.
Toolkit for Counties: 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
The nationwide transition to 988 on July 16, 2022 provides an easier way for people experiencing mental distress to access the existing National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. This page features resources to help county leaders support the 988 transition and leverage this opportunity to expand access to behavioral health care for all community members.
