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
May 7, 2024
Every other week, NACo’s County Countdown reviews top federal policy advocacy items with an eye towards counties and the intergovernmental partnership.
House and Senate leaders release text of 2024 Federal Aviation Administration reauthorization compromise
House and Senate leaders release text of 2024 Federal Aviation Administration reauthorization compromise.
Primer for Counties: 2024 Farm Bill Reauthorization
Administered by the USDA, the U.S. Farm Bill helps counties make critical investments in infrastructure, economic development, workforce training, nutrition and conservation within some of our nation’s most underserved communities.
UPDATED: USDOT announces availability of $1.2 billion through Safe Streets and Roads for All Grant Program
On February 21, the U.S. Department of Transportation announced the availability of $1.2 billion through the Safe Streets and Roads for All competitive grant program in Fiscal Year 2024 for transportation safety planning or construction projects.
U.S. Department of Energy announces $18 million for Local Government Energy Program
U.S. Department of Energy announces $18 million for Local Government Energy Program
House Passes Historic Outdoor Recreation Legislation
The U.S. House passed the bipartisan EXPLORE Act (H.R.6492) on April 9 to boost outdoor recreation opportunities on public lands and aid local economies
Congress introduces Second Chance Act reauthorization
On April 16, the Second Chance Reauthorization Act of 2024 was introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives with robust bipartisan support. NACo supports this legislation, which would reauthorize funding for Second Chance Act programs for five years.
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
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.
