Federal Advocacy Committees
NLC’s seven Federal Advocacy Committees, together with NLC’s leadership and the Federal Advocacy team, play a key role in all NLC advocacy efforts. Comprised of local officials from NLC member cities and towns across the country, the Committees play a central role in developing the organization’s federal policy positions, which are the foundation of our advocacy efforts, and leading our advocacy on the Hill and within the Administration. Combined, these federal policy positions make up the National Municipal Policy, which is a statement of goals, policies, and program objectives that are reviewed annually by the NLC membership.
The National Municipal Policy (NMP) is NLC's comprehensive policy platform on federal issues directly affecting or of concern to cities, towns, and villages. As the foundation for our advocacy efforts, a relevant and robust NMP is essential to our effectiveness on your behalf on Capitol Hill.
The Finance, Administration & Intergovernmental Relations (FAIR) Committee is responsible for developing policy positions on issues involving national economic policy, general financial assistance programs, liability insurance, intergovernmental relations, Census, municipal bonds and capital finance, municipal management, antitrust issues, citizen participation and civil rights, labor relations, Native American sovereignty and municipal authority.
The Energy, Environment & Natural Resources (EENR) Committee is responsible for developing policy positions on issues involving air quality, water quality, energy policy, national wetlands policy, noise control, and solid and hazardous waste management.
The Community & Economic Development (CED) Committee is responsible for developing policy positions on issues involving housing, community and economic development, land use, recreation and parks, historic preservation, and international competitiveness.
The Human Development (HD) Committee is responsible for developing policy positions on issues involving social services, children and learning, poverty and income support, employment and workforce development, equal opportunity, Social Security and seniors, individuals with disabilities, public health care, mental health parity, and immigration reform.
The Transportation & Infrastructure Services (TIS) Committee is responsible for developing policy positions on issues involving transportation, including planning, funding, safety and security of public transit, streets and highways, aviation, railroads and ports.
The Public Safety & Crime Prevention (PSCP) Committee is responsible for developing policy positions on issues involving crime prevention, corrections, substance abuse, municipal fire policy, juvenile justice, disaster preparedness and relief, homeland security, domestic terrorism, court systems and gun control.
The Information Technology & Communications (ITC) Committee is responsible for developing policy positions on issues involving telecommunications and information systems (and public access to these systems), broadband access and affordability, privacy concerns, cable TV, phone services, spectrum issues, communications tower siting, universal service, broadcasting, and defense of city rights-of-way from degradation caused by installation of communications facilities.