Democrats tout projects funded by a bill they voted against
WASHINGTON — For years, Democrats have criticized Republicans who voted against government spending bills and then touted the money distributed to their districts.
But today, in the Republican-controlled Congress during President Donald Trump’s second term, many House Democrats are doing the same thing.
That includes at least three Democrats from swing districts who voted no on last month’s government funding plan, as well as most of the party’s membership over its failure to extend expiring funds under the Affordable Care Act. This impasse led to a 43-day shutdown. But after the government reopened, thanks in large part to GOP votes, those Democrats staked claim to certain provisions of the bill, including the funding they sought to include as it was developed.
First-term Rep. Josh Riley, D-N.Y., last month touted what he called “three urgent projects” in New York totaling $2.6 million under the November bill: a fire station project in Guilford and two health care centers in Margaretville and South Fallsburg.
“This means Guilford Volunteer Firefighters will finally have a safe station, Margaretville families will have better access to care close to home, and South Fallsburg will get the permanent clinic it has needed for years,” Riley said in a statement, pledging to “continue pushing to ensure rural communities in upstate New York get the resources they deserve.”
Riley voted against the funding package and later said he would “continue to push to ensure that rural communities in upstate New York get the resources they deserve.”
Several others welcomed the money as part of the funding bill, which passed 222-209 last month, with just six Democrats joining 216 Republicans in voting yes. Although the appropriations measures were developed with input from both parties and Democrats did not oppose the spending provisions, a large majority voted no due to the exclusion of ACA funding that would prevent insurance premiums from rising next year.
Yet it was a move that former Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Democrat of California, derisively called “vote no and take the money” when Republicans took credit for money brought in on bills they opposed, including Biden-era programs like the American Rescue Plan and the infrastructure package.
Rep. Laura Gillen, D-N.Y., a first-term Long Island Democrat who came to Congress after Pelosi resigned as party leader, stood outside a fire department in her district with a large check to celebrate a grant under the same bill.
“In May, I urged the House Appropriations Committee to appropriate new federal funds for a fire truck for the Bellerose Village Fire Department and was successful in securing $938,000 during the appropriations process for fiscal year 2026,” Gillen said. “I am pleased that this funding is now directed to Bellerose to help our first responders.
Rep. Gabe Vasquez, D-N.M., said he is “proud” to have secured more than $1.8 million in funds for projects in his district, saying they will improve rural economic opportunities and help farmers. “It’s about getting real results for southern New Mexico.” »
Asked about his vote, Vasquez told NBC News in a statement: “Unlike my predecessor, I actually submitted and fought for federal funding for community projects here in my district. »
Other Democrats in safer seats also touted the funds brought in after voting against the bill, including Reps. April McClain Delaney, D-Maryland, Ted Lieu, D-Calif. Donald Norcross, D-N.J., and Rick Larsen, D-Wash.
Rep. Pete Aguilar, D-Calif., the No. 3 House Democrat, didn’t comment on specific examples because he said he hasn’t seen members touting plans to fund this bill at home.
“Republicans have done a lot of this before, under the Biden administration,” Aguilar said in a brief hallway interview. “We don’t really have visibility into where the Trump administration grants are going like we did before.”
“I think it’s always important to share information with your constituents about what’s happening in your district,” he said.
This reversal of attitude can be explained in part by the fact that Republicans in the House of Representatives managed to largely unite around spending bills this year, despite their slim majority. This is a change from previous years, when Republicans had to routinely rely on Democratic votes in the House to fund the government, even when the Republican Party controlled Congress and the White House.
“They have nothing,” Rep. Richard Hudson, R-N.C., chairman of the National Republican Congressional Committee, told NBC News. “They have no ideas to offer the American people, and they have no successes to build on. So it doesn’t surprise me. But they won’t get away with it.”
Hudson now finds himself in the unusual position of taking ownership of the spending bill on behalf of the GOP. He said he doesn’t remember Pelosi mocking Republicans who “vote no and take the money.”
“It seems pretty smart to be her,” Hudson said.
