County Countdown – March 25, 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 averts a government shutdown
On March 14, the U.S. Senate passed the Full-Year Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act of 2025 (H.R. 1968) to extend government funding through September 30, 2025, following the U.S. House’s passage on March 11.
- Funding levels: The measure maintains FY 2024 funding levels into FY 2025, setting discretionary spending at $1.6 trillion, with defense funding at $893 billion and non-defense funding at $708 billion, in line with the Fiscal Responsibility Act’s caps.
- Key programs: This continuing resolution also includes program extensions and funding, such as TANF, NFIP, FEMA’s Disaster Relief Fund, WIC and election security grants.
- County advocacy: Counties urge Congress to enact final FY 2026 appropriations by September 30, 2025, to avoid further disruptions and provide budgetary certainty for local governments.
Budget reconciliation negotiations
Negotiations between the U.S. House and Senate on a potential reconciliation package are ongoing, with significant proposals still on the table.
- Medicaid: Among the items under discussion are reforms to Medicaid that could impact local health and human services.
- Municipal bonds: Proposals to eliminate the tax-exempt status of municipal bonds – a critical tool counties rely on to finance infrastructure and essential services – are also being discussed.
- Take action: Contact your U.S. senators and representatives and advocate strongly to safeguard these vital programs and preserve the financial tools that support local communities and economies.
EPA announces a rollback of environmental regulations
The Environmental Protection Agency announced plans to roll back more than two dozen rules and policies. Chief among the rules included is Waters of the U.S., or WOTUS, a phrase used in the Clean Water Act to determine which waters are subject to federal jurisdiction.
- WOTUS: The definition of WOTUS directly impacts counties as owners and operators of water infrastructure. The Trump administration is seeking to implement a 2023 Supreme Court ruling that narrowed the scope of the Clean Water Act to limit jurisdiction over wetlands to those with a continuous surface connection to jurisdictional waters and not wetlands adjacent to a jurisdictional water.
- Other regulations: Other regulations under revision include those related to power plant emissions, vehicle emission standards and greenhouse gas findings.
- County impact: Counties could face increased challenges in maintaining clean air, safe drinking water and resilient ecosystems. The rollback of these federal standards may also shift greater responsibility and potential costs onto county governments as they work to fill regulatory gaps.
New White House executive order on natural disasters
On March 18, President Trump signed a new executive order that focuses on empowering state and local governments when it comes to disaster preparedness and infrastructure.
- What’s in the order: The order calls for the development of a National Resilience Strategy, the streamlining of federal policies on critical infrastructure, continuity of government and emergency response and the creation of a National Risk Register to better inform investments.
- Potential implications: For counties, this could mean increased authority—and responsibility—in managing things like wildfires, cyber threats and extreme weather events, while also requiring us to strengthen our capacity to plan, invest and coordinate disaster resilience efforts with reduced direct federal involvement.
- More from NACo: The NACo Intergovernmental Disaster Reform Task Force was launched in November 2024 to strengthen our nation's disaster mitigation, response and recovery capabilities.
NACo's first 100 days membership series
NACo’s ongoing membership series offers weekly updates on the Trump administration and Congress’ first 100 days, focusing on policies directly impacting counties.
- Each week: NACo’s government affairs team dives into policies and actions that directly impact counties, including federal funding, regulations and intergovernmental partnerships.
- This week: Join us this Thursday, March 27 at 3:00 p.m. EDT.
- Full schedule: View the full schedule and watch recordings from past weeks here.
Congress passes “full-year” Continuing Resolution through September 30, 2025
On March 14, the U.S. Senate voted to pass the Full-Year Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act of 2025 to further extend appropriations and avert a government shutdown through the end of Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 on September 30.
U.S. Congress begins work on budget reconciliation process: What this means for counties
The House and Senate Budget Committees have marked up Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 budget resolutions to initiate the budget reconciliation process to enact policy priorities without garnering bipartisan support, although the two chambers differ in their approach to drafting the legislation.
The Conforming Rule: The Waters of the United States
The definition of Waters of the United States (WOTUS) directly impacts county governments as owners and operators of local infrastructure.
White House signs Executive Order Examining State and Local Preparedness
On March 18, President Trump signed an Executive Order aimed at aligning federal preparedness and response doctrines, while examining state and local preparedness capabilities. The order does not shift any responsibilities or costs to state and local governments, rather producing a set of recommendations for better collaboration across all levels of government.
NACo Membership Series: First 100 Days
Join NACo's membership series focusing on timely updates and analysis on key developments during the first 100 days of the Trump administration. These calls will focus on policies and actions that directly impact counties, including federal funding, regulations and intergovernmental partnerships.
CEQ issues interim final rule on implementing NEPA regulations
On February 25, the Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) issued an interim final rule to remove existing federal regulations on P.L. 91-190, the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), and rescind CEQ’s authority to promulgate NEPA regulations. CEQ issued a memo on February 19 asserting that any federal agencies implementing regulations should prioritize streamlining and expediting NEPA’s permitting process. The rule is effective April 11, 2025.
EPA & U.S. Army Corps of Engineers revise Waters of the United States (WOTUS) definition
On March 12, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) issued a joint memorandum outlining the next steps to revise the “waters of the United States” (WOTUS) definition under the Clean Water Act (CWA). This follows the Supreme Court’s 2023 decision in Sackett v. EPA, which limits the EPA’s regulatory authority over wetlands without a “continuous surface connection” to traditional navigable waters.
NACo testifies on the critical role of counties in disasters
NACo Intergovernmental Disaster Reform Task Force Co-Chair and Harris County, Texas Commission Adrian Garcia testifies before the House Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings and Emergency Management.
White House signs Executive Order Examining State and Local Preparedness
On March 18, President Trump signed an Executive Order aimed at aligning federal preparedness and response doctrines, while examining state and local preparedness capabilities. The order does not shift any responsibilities or costs to state and local governments, rather producing a set of recommendations for better collaboration across all levels of government.
NACo Legal Advocacy: San Francisco v. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
San Francisco v. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has implications for the ability of county governments that own and operate wastewater treatment facilities to comply with National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit requirements.
NACo Legal Advocacy: Lackey v. Stinnie
Lackey v. Stinnie will impact the ability of state and local governments to avoid paying litigation fees in a civil rights case if they change their conduct (i.e. repeal a law) after a court has granted a preliminary injunction.
NACo Membership Series: First 100 Days, Week 9
Join NACo for week nine of a membership series providing timely updates and analysis on key developments during the first 100 days of the Trump administration. These calls will focus on policies and actions that directly impact counties, including federal funding, regulations and intergovernmental partnerships. Join us to stay informed on how these changes may shape county priorities and operations.
Gulf States Counties and Parishes Caucus Symposium
Join us at NACo’s Gulf States Counties and Parishes Caucus Symposium, where county and parish leaders will engage in dynamic mobile workshops and collaborative sessions.
NACo Membership Series: First 100 Days, Week 10
Join NACo for week ten of a membership series providing timely updates and analysis on key developments during the first 100 days of the Trump administration. These calls will focus on policies and actions that directly impact counties, including federal funding, regulations and intergovernmental partnerships. Join us to stay informed on how these changes may shape county priorities and operations.
The Current State of Student Debt and Forgiveness (NACo's Partnership with Savi Simplifies Student Debt Relief), a Public Promise Insurance Webinar
A webinar for HR and county leadership looking for ways to engage county employees
Did you know that over 9 million public service workers, including full-time county employees, are eligible for student debt forgiveness through the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program? Yet, fewer than 2% have received relief, and only 15% have submitted the required forms to access this benefit
The real question is: Are they aware of it? Are they maximizing their student debt forgiveness?
Please join us as we speak with student debt forgiveness expert Tony Raffa, who will clear up much of the confusion over:
Executive orders and what they mean for employees
Changes in the Department of Education and its impact
Current student debt relief programs and who is eligible
Common issues with applying for and receiving student debt forgiveness
A new tool is available to help your employees calculate their potential student debt relief and cut through the red tape when applying
Show how the tool helps employees save an average of $2,244 a year, freeing up space for them to hit their financial goals
This webinar is brought to you by NACo EDGE, establishing people, purchasing, and performance cost-saving solutions that can be applied to counties nationwide. EDGE is owned by NACo, advised by county leaders and 100% focused on solutions for U.S. Counties. Learn more about NACo EDGE here and about Public Promise Insurance here.
For more information check out the event page!
NACo Membership Series: First 100 Days, Week 11
Join NACo for week eleven of a membership series providing timely updates and analysis on key developments during the first 100 days of the Trump administration. These calls will focus on policies and actions that directly impact counties, including federal funding, regulations and intergovernmental partnerships. Join us to stay informed on how these changes may shape county priorities and operations.
NACo Membership Series: First 100 Days, Week 12
Join NACo for week twelve of a membership series providing timely updates and analysis on key developments during the first 100 days of the Trump administration. These calls will focus on policies and actions that directly impact counties, including federal funding, regulations and intergovernmental partnerships. Join us to stay informed on how these changes may shape county priorities and operations.
Advocacy Action Hub
Through NACo, advocate for county priorities in federal policy making. Find our latest advocacy toolkits, federal policy analysis and more.