Federal shutdown is over, but January deadline looms
The National League of Cities (NLC) maintained strong advocacy throughout the longest federal shutdown in U.S. history, pushing Congress to prioritize community needs and protect essential programs. Their efforts helped secure key wins in the temporary budget bill, including continued funding for cybersecurity grants, FEMA disaster relief, housing vouchers, flood insurance, SNAP, LIHEAP and small business support. These victories underscore NLC’s message that dependable federal funding is critical for local governments, which bear the brunt of delayed reimbursements, stalled assistance programs and service disruptions when Washington gridlocks.
Despite these short-term gains, NLC stresses that the current resolution is insufficient. With decades of chronic delays in passing the full federal budget, local governments face ongoing uncertainty that complicates planning and intergovernmental coordination. NLC urges Congress to pass a comprehensive funding package that strengthens the federal-local partnership and supports infrastructure, housing and community services. Even amid federal instability, NLC commends local leaders for their steady focus on solutions, fiscal responsibility and maintaining essential services—leadership that has strengthened NLC’s advocacy on their behalf.
