National League of Cities is an organization that represents United States cities. Membership is open to all cities and state federations of cities.
The league works to improve the quality of life for people who live in cities and to strengthen local government. Its officials discuss urban problems with members of Congress, officials in the executive branch, and other leaders in order to win support for a national urban policy. The organization sometimes takes legal action in federal courts on matters involving cities. It publishes a weekly newspaper called Nation’s Cities Weekly and various reports on city policies and procedures. The league holds an annual convention called the Congress of Cities that is attended by mayors, city managers, council members, and other city officials. At this meeting, league members review, amend, and approve the organization’s national municipal policy.
The history of the league dates back to 1924, when leaders of 10 state federations of cities formed the American Municipal Association. The organization changed its name to the National League of Cities in 1964. Its headquarters are in Washington, D.C.
