Your Voice in Washington
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Municipal officials and staff amplify the voices of their communities in Washington.
Advocacy In Action
Help strengthen America’s cities, towns and villages. Using our collective voice, we can ensure Congress and the Administration partner with local governments and make local issues a priority in federal policy.
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Grassroots Actions Taken on Cities Are Essential
Local Governments Need COVID Relief NOW!
Federal Transportation Reauthorization
Campus Towns Left Behind in 2020 Census
Educate Congress with an NLC Primer
Federal Advocacy At-A-Glance
2021 Federal Action Agenda
NLC has crafted 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 Federal Action Agenda items below.
COVID-19 Response
Local elected officials are distinctly positioned to protect the health and safety of America’s residents and to provide reassurance in times in crisis, including during the COVID-19 outbreak.
Cities Agenda
The Leading Together Cities Agenda reflects an understanding of Americans’ top priorities and concerns to build a strong, safe and fair nation in 2021 and beyond. Here are the priorities of local governments for the first 100 days of the Biden-Harris administration.
Federal Advocacy Committees
Comprised of local officials from NLC member cities and towns across the country, the seven Federal Advocacy Committees play a central role in developing the organization’s National Municipal Policy, which is the foundation of our advocacy efforts. Committee members, access committee resources now.
Court Cases
The federal court system is responsible for much of the law affecting local government and their scope of authority. NLC provides a vehicle to support cities, towns and villages involved in significant litigation or administrative adjudication that could affect municipal organization, operation, powers, duties, or financing. Through legal advocacy, NLC serves as a more effective and aggressive advocate for legal issues of national importance to local governments. NLC is a trustee member of the State and Local Legal Center, a collaboration of seven national organizations representing state and local governments.
2021 National Municipal Policy
The National Municipal Policy (NMP) is a compilation of federal policy positions introduced, approved and adopted by the full membership of the National League of Cities. These positions focus on federal actions, programs and legislation that directly impact municipalities and guide all of NLC’s federal advocacy efforts. It is updated annually.
2021 Federal ACTION AGENDA
Building Sustainable and Resilient Infrastructure
Infrastructure investment is essential to moving America forward. Yet, much of our nation’s infrastructure needs to be repaired and modernized to meet today’s demands.
Advancing Workforce Readiness
Investing in the American workforce is critical to expanding our nation’s economic success and ensuring that all people have opportunities to thrive.
Federal Budget and Appropriations
Stay up to date on the Fiscal Year 2021 federal budget and appropriations process. NLC is tracking and compiling everything local leaders need to know about the status of the important federal investments in our nation’s cities, towns and villages.
Increasing Fair and Affordable Housing
Housing instability is increasingly recognized as one of the biggest barriers to economic prosperity for American families. Federal investment is critical to tackling the housing crisis head-on.
Reimagining Public Safety and Health
After a year of contentious debate and social unrest, federal leaders must prioritize reforming and reimagining public safety and policing in America. Local leaders stand ready to work with Congress and the Administration on the best long-term solutions around gun violence and keeping Americans safe.
Stabilizing Local Government Operations
COVID-19 continues to expose unprecedented challenges to local government operations. Federal leaders must immediately prioritize necessary relief that provide local leaders an additional lifeline to respond and recover.
Digital Equity
Broadband access must be treated as a basic right and as a form of essential infrastructure. America’s communities need additional federal investment to help close the digital divide, especially after a year in which connectivity became more important than ever.
The Need for Local COVID Relief is Undeniable
- Michael Gleeson
Moving Past ‘Lessons Learned’ on Resilience
- Cooper Martin
The Danger of Conflating State and Local Pandemic Relief
- Christiana McFarland
- Michael Gleeson
- Joshua Pine
Still, We Rise: Youth Advocacy Engagement at CCC
- Dejah Headen
- Komal Kaur
Putting Americans Back to Work through Job Creation and Water Workforce Training
- Tony Parrott
Stay Updated With Our Federal Advocacy Newsletter
The Federal Advocacy Newsletter is your source for the latest Capitol Hill and Administration activity. Our bi-weekly newsletter provides analysis and updates on the latest federal issues affecting municipalities. Sign up today!