Democratic Rep. Josh Riley canceled an informal discussion with local Democrats last-minute after taking credit for federal funding for his district that he voted against.

The New York congressman is one of about a dozen House Democrats who have touted funding flowing to their districts as part of a spending package they voted against, but that ended the longest government shutdown in the history of the United States. After a flurry of critical news coverage, Riley last week canceled a meeting with the Green County Democrats the day before it was set to take place.

“We are writing to let you know that tomorrow’s scheduled gathering with Congressman Josh Riley will need to be postponed to a date and time to be determined,” said a Friday email from the local Democratic group obtained by The Daily Wire.

“Unfortunately Congressman Riley’s team has decided to cancel their meeting with us tomorrow over concerns regarding safety and other groups disrupting the event,” it continued. “We will be in touch as soon as a new date – hopefully in January – is confirmed. Thank you, as always, for your continued engagement and commitment to Greene County Democrats.”

Riley’s office did not respond to a request for comment from The Daily Wire.

Riley last month touted three different projects in his district that will receive federal funding because of the bill.

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“It means Guilford’s volunteer firefighters will finally have a safe station to work from, families in Margaretville will have better access to care close to home, and South Fallsburg will get the permanent clinic it’s needed for years,” said Riley in a statement.

“I’ll keep pushing to make sure rural communities in Upstate New York get the resources they deserve,” he added, taking credit for the funds that he voted against.

Like the other Democrats who are touting funding for their particular districts, Riley had a hand in attaching his pet projects to the final spending bill. But after his requests were acceded to, he voted against the final version of the legislation.

Republicans have taken the opportunity to clobber Riley.

“Out of touch Democrat Josh Riley voted against funding that improves health care access for his constituents and facilities for first responders in his own district. Now that he’s been exposed, he’s refusing to face the very people he tried to hurt with his vote. Riley is a fraud and a coward,” said Maureen O’Toole, spokeswoman for the National Republican Congressional Committee.

Riley is facing a challenging 2026 reelection campaign. His district, New York’s 19th, is a competitive swing district that was last won by a Republican in 2022, a race that Riley lost. Riley unseated former Rep. Marc Molinaro in 2024, winning that race by just two points. The Cook Political Report ranks NY19 as a “Lean D” race in 2026, but only by one point.