Federal transition, funding pauses and earmark outlook drive timing for Thornton’s DC lobbying trip

Rob, a city staff member, opened the session by introducing the federal legislative guests and the topic: federal legislative update and the proposed Washington, D.C., lobbying trip.

Lynn, a federal legislative consultant, told council the new presidential administration’s actions have created review periods across agencies that are slowing issuance of new notices of funding availability. "We do anticipate, however, a much longer pause on notices of funding availability," Lynn said, describing a phase in which agencies are staffing up, rescinding prior executive orders and issuing new ones that direct agency reviews of programs and regulations. She warned that some grant notices likely will be delayed while agency priorities are re‑set.

The consultants also described a White House action described at the meeting as a federal "energy dominance"…