2025 Federal Action Agenda

NLC has a biannual agenda mapped to the Congressional cycle to guide local advocacy efforts on Capitol Hill and with the Administration. Learn more about the issues that matter most in your community. View our 2025 Federal Action Agenda below. 

2025 Federal Action Agenda

Strengthening Local Economies Through Federal Partnership

America’s prosperity depends on thriving local economies. By streamlining federal programs and empowering local governments, we can ensure a strong national economy. Local leaders are best positioned to understand the needs of their communities and should be key partners in shaping federal policies that meet local needs, while maximizing federal resources.

Core Principles

• Strengthen Local-Federal Partnerships – Ensure federal decisions reflect local priorities by fostering robust collaboration and empowering local governments.

• Avoid Unfunded Mandates – Federal rules and regulations must be practical, cost-effective, and free of undue burdens on local governments.

• Safeguard Local Authority – Oppose over-regulation by the federal government and protect the ability of local leaders to make decisions that reflect their communities’ different needs.

Federal Priorities to Strengthen America’s Communities

Streamline Federal Programs for All Communities

• Simplify grant applications and compliance processes to improve access for all communities, particularly those that are small and rural.

Increase the Nation’s Housing Supply

• Expand funding for successful affordable housing programs such as CDBG, HOME and Housing Choice Vouchers.
• Support local efforts to develop housing through technical assistance, federal grants, and increased flexibility within federal housing programs to enhance public-private partnerships.

Promote Public Safety

• Fund recruitment and retention of a comprehensive public safety workforce.
• Enhance mental health crisis response and violence prevention programs.
• Strengthen tools to combat substance trafficking and improve disaster response and recovery resources.

Solidify Infrastructure Investment

• Maintain and reauthorize essential federal infrastructure funding to address local needs and expedite environmental reviews for infrastructure projects.
• Protect tax-exempt municipal bonds and provide direct funding to local governments.

Close the Digital Divide

• Preserve local control over broadband infrastructure and ensure affordable, high-speed internet for all communities.
• Expand cybersecurity grants to safeguard against rising cyber threats.

Build Community Resilience

• Provide additional support for pre-disaster mitigation to reduce taxpayer costs and protect public safety.
• Invest in clean energy initiatives to bolster energy independence and economic growth.
• Preserve existing funding, financing, tax credits and programs that support local governments.

Reduce Legal and Financial Burdens on Local Governments

• Provide liability protections for local governments managing PFAS contamination and reduce or eliminate other unfunded federal mandates.

The National League of Cities (NLC) is committed to fostering a strong local-federal partnership to drive economic growth, enhance public safety and ensure efficient governance by advocating on behalf of local government interests with all branches of the federal government – executive, legislative and judicial. Together, we can position America’s communities for a secure and prosperous future.