The future of FEMA and federal disaster response remains uncertain as the Trump administration, in coordination with the Department of Homeland Security, proposes significant changes. Amid criticism of FEMA’s lack of efficiency and transparency as well as ongoing funding challenges, the administration and Congress are both re-examining how the federal government responds to disasters across the country.

With six weeks left in the House before the August recess, and eight weeks left in the Senate, Congress is racing to complete a lengthy list of legislative tasks. The Senate has begun consideration of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA, H.R. 1), a reconciliation package already passed by the House. While Republicans hope to have the bill on the President’s desk by July 4…

In recent years, budget resolutions have been used to unlock the reconciliation process and bypass the Senate’s 60-vote filibuster rule. The reconciliation process is a mechanism to pass major legislation that is primarily used when one party controls the House, Senate and the Presidency. Currently, Republicans are implementing this process to extend and expand expiring tax cuts, increase spending on border security and defense, reform U.S. energy policies and cut federal spending. 

Five new priorities were listed for USDOT projects that now apply to all USDOT-funded projects, including grants, loans and contracts. Navigate these new requirements with insight from our federal government relations team.

In the Senate, our team discussed Centralina’s 2025 Advocacy Agenda with the offices of Senators Thom Tillis and Ted Budd. This agenda includes support for the reauthorization of the Older Americans Act and the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act.  Centralina has strong relationships with both Senate offices…

Since taking office on January 20, 2025, President Trump has taken dozens of executive actions to implement his priorities and deliver on promises made during his campaign. These executive actions span a broad array of topics including immigration, trade, technology, energy, environmental policy, national security, workforce policy and social initiatives. 

As the 118th Congress concludes, several reauthorizations important to regional councils and local governments were passed in 2024 while others remain unresolved. Significant programs with lapsed authorizations, such as those under the Older Americans Act and other federal laws, will likely shape priorities in the 119th Congress that started on January 3, 2025. 

When Congress returns to Capitol Hill on November 12, 2024, much of the focus will be on the remaining business of the 118th Congress. However, preparations are already underway for the new 119th Congress, which will convene for the first time at noon on January 3, 2025. The first order of business will be to elect a Speaker of the House. Other changes will follow in the coming months.

Congress passed a Continuing Resolution (CR) on Wednesday, September 25, extending funding of the federal government for an additional 12 weeks through December 20. When Congress returns for the lame duck session on November 12, 2024, the top priority will be to address funding for the federal government for the next fiscal year.

Federal lawmakers returned to Capitol Hill on September 9 for a three-week session before breaking again on September 27, 2024, until after Election Day. In those three weeks, the House and Senate are expected to draft and vote on a stopgap spending bill, known as a continuing resolution, to avoid a full or partial government shutdown when the new fiscal year begins October 1, 2024.