Long Island Rep. Laura Gillen recently highlighted $500,000 in federal funds allocated to her district for a fire department and a public library, though she had voted against the final passage of the legislation that provided the money. The funds were designated for the Floral Park Fire Department to acquire a new firetruck and for the Franklin Square Public Library.
Gillen's office stated that she was instrumental in assisting both the library and the fire department in preparing their funding applications and navigating the congressional appropriations process. "When Floral Park reached out for help funding a new fire truck, I got to work. I’m proud to have been responsible for delivering this funding to the Village, which will make it safer for firefighters and residents. The funding was supported by local leaders from both parties," a statement from her office read.
The funding originated from a consolidated appropriations bill that Congress passed earlier in the year. While Gillen did vote for an initial version of the package in January of the previous year, she voted against the version that ultimately passed in February. This later vote occurred after Senate Democrats had blocked the initial bill due to its homeland security funding, leading to a standoff that resulted in a government shutdown.
Her opponent, Republican Jeanine Driscoll, criticized Gillen for taking credit for the funding. "Laura Gillen – again- takes credit for funding for which she voted NO. This time it’s the Franklin Square Library. Stop lying Laura. She is shameless," Driscoll stated.
This instance is not the first time Gillen has been noted for claiming credit for district funding from legislation she opposed. Last year, reports indicated she took credit for nearly $1 million in federal firefighting funds from a government funding package she had voted against. The practice of politicians claiming credit for district-specific funding from bills they voted against has occurred under various administrations. During the Biden administration, Democrats have frequently pointed out instances where Republicans touted funding for projects, such as those from the bipartisan infrastructure bill or the Inflation Reduction Act, despite having voted against those legislative packages.