Democratic lawmakers claimed credit for millions of dollars allocated to their constituencies, despite opposing the shutdown-ending funding package which included them.
On Nov. 12, New York Rep. Josh Riley joined 206 of his Democrats colleagues in voting against a spending package to end the record-breaking government shutdown, citing its failure to include health care provisions sought by Democrats. Less than two weeks later, Riley sent out a press release Monday taking a victory lap for securing $2.6 million in funding from the legislation for upgrades to a fire department and health care facilities in upstate New York.
In the release, Riley did not disclose his opposition to the bipartisan package that secured the federal dollars for his district.
“In Upstate New York, our first responders and health care workers show up for their neighbors every single day,” Riley said in a statement following his vote against the funding package. “This funding is about showing up for them.”
The freshman lawmaker’s press release included comments from Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and Democratic New York Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, who also appeared to take credit for securing the community project funding, commonly known as earmarks.
Schumer and Gillibrand were among 38 Democratic caucus members who voted against the bipartisan legislation incorporating the earmarks.
“I will always fight to bring home federal dollars to give New York communities throughout the Southern Tier and Catskills the support they deserve,” Schumer said in a statement regarding the funding he opposed on the Senate floor
Gillibrand similarly said she “continue to work tirelessly” to bring home federal dollars for New York State despite voting “no” on the funding package.
Several local New York outlets reported on the press release and gave credit to the three Democratic lawmakers, despite their votes against the legislation that secured the local funds.
“Three rural communities across Upstate New York are getting a major upgrade thanks to more than $2.6 million in new federal funding secured by Congressman Josh Riley, Senator Chuck Schumer, and Senator Kirsten Gillibrand,” the New York-based FingerLakes1.com wrote.
Spokespersons for Riley, Schumer and Gillibrand did not respond to the Daily Caller News Foundation’s request for comment.
The National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC), House Republicans’ campaign arm, slammed Riley for voting against the community project funding.
“Josh Riley’s hypocrisy and allegiance to the radical left truly knows no bounds,” NRCC spokeswoman Mauren O’Toole said in a statement. “His vote against critical funding for hospitals and fire departments in his own district is disgusting, and New York voters won’t forget it.”
Riley defeated then-incumbent Republican New York Rep. Marc Molinaro by less than 10,000 votes in the most expensive House race of the 2024 cycle. The nonpartisan Cook Political Report rates his reelection contest as “Lean Democrat.”
Riley, Schumer and Gillibrand are not the only Democrats who have claimed credit for the local funds in the government funding package despite voting against the bill.
Democratic New York Rep. Laura Gillen spoke at an event Tuesday celebrating a $938,000 earmark allowing for the purchase of a new fire engine in her district.
“I am just so thrilled to secure this funding,” Gillen said in part. She did not appear to mention her vote against the legislation in her remarks, which were partly obscured by background noise in the livestream.
A spokesperson for Gillen did not immediately respond to the DCNF’s request for comment.
The four New York lawmakers are the latest cohort of Democrats to take credit for pieces of legislation that have been approved by a Republican-controlled Congress. Most Democratic lawmakers have lined up to oppose legislation offered by Republicans and even some high-profile bipartisan bills over the past year.
Democratic Rhode Island Rep. Seth Magaziner sent out a press release in July celebrating tens of millions in federal funding for his district without revealing that he voted against the underlying appropriations bill.
His Democratic colleague, Georgia Sen. Jon Ossoff, sparked controversy in September for claiming credit for a veterans assistance law, whose sponsor said the Georgia Democrat played no role in drafting.
Several Democratic lawmakers have also celebrated individual provisions of Republicans’ One Big Beautiful Bill Act despite voting against the legislation on the House floor.
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