Dear Alexander,

This week marked 100 days since the start of President Trump's second term. In that short span of time, his chaotic policies have caused costs to rise, economic growth to slow, and retirement plans to drop. It's no wonder his 100-day poll numbers are the lowest in 80 years, as a majority of Americans have already lost faith in him.

In the Energy & Commerce Committee, we highlighted the dangers of the Administration's actions and expressed our clear opposition to billions of dollars in cuts to Medicaid, KidCare, and nursing home care for billionaire tax cuts.

We also participated in a Communications & Technology Subcommittee hearing focused on securing the future of telecommunications infrastructure. We discussed the danger cyberattacks pose to our telecommunications system and efforts in the CHIPS & Science Act to invest $3 billion to help with U.S. telecom manufacturing, microchip manufacturing, and the replacement of equipment made in China that we no longer have faith in.

In the district, we visited the ABA Center in Celebration to commemorate Autism Awareness Month. We learned more about the support they offer families and discussed concerns surrounding cuts to special education programs. I admire their dedication to improving the quality of life for children with autism and their families, offering hope for a better future.

We are also thrilled to announce two new lanes on I-4 as part of the $3.4 billion federal-state I-4 expansion project we helped deliver for Central Florida. A new SunRail study was also funded this week to keep this project moving forward.

Over the weekend, we spent time with many dear friends at CAFA’s Caribbean Fusion Festival in Kissimmee, where we enjoyed some great oxtail, amazing music, and our band, Astromax, even played a few songs!

I'm proud and optimistic about our efforts this week and look forward to going back to Washington, D.C., next week to fight for our Central Florida community.

Holding President Trump Accountable

This week, President Trump showed us how to wreck a good economy in 100 days. His tariffs, mass firings, deportations, and divisive politics are driving us straight into the most avoidable recession in my lifetime. In Central Florida, we sadly see international travel slowing, workers being deported, and small businesses with fewer customers.

Just today, he released his so-called "skinny budget," which included a 24% cut to NASA's current budget and promises to cancel the Artemis program to take humans back to the Moon. This would be a failure of American space leadership and cost thousands of local jobs.

While the president's policies may have sounded great to many on the campaign trail, they are becoming a disaster in reality. 

HAPPENING SOON: Service Academy Day

Join Team Soto on May 10 at 10 a.m. for our Service Academy Day. This is a great opportunity to hear from leaders from West Point, the Naval Academy, and other academies on how to apply!

Two New I-4 Lanes OPEN

Two new “congestion relief” lanes officially opened on I-4 this week, running 6.1 miles in each direction of I-4 from east of U.S. 27 in Polk County to World Drive near Disney Springs. We were proud to help deliver a $3.4 billion federal/state investment to improve traffic and will continue to work on the full I-4 expansion through South Orange, Osceola, and Northeast Polk counties.

$6 Million Sunshine Corridor Study Approved

We are thrilled to see local and state officials come together to approve a $6 million study of the Sunshine Corridor to expand SunRail to the airport and theme parks. We remain ready to help deliver major federal funding to make this project a reality. This will be a game changer for Central Florida. 

Standing Against Cuts to KidCare and Nursing Home Care

In the Energy & Commerce Committee, we're holding President Trump accountable and opposing cuts to KidCare and nursing home care for billionaire tax cuts. In his first 100 days, costs are rising, economic growth is slow, and retirement plans are down. It's no wonder a majority of Americans have already lost faith in him. At 39% support, he has the lowest polling for a new president in 80 years.

Protecting our Telecom Systems from Cyberattacks

During our Communications & Technology Subcommittee hearing, we discussed the danger cyberattacks pose to our telecommunications system. The CHIPS & Science Act is also investing $3 billion to help boost U.S. telecom manufacturing to protect us from cyberattacks from China and other state actors.

Supporting American Space Leadership

We proudly met with the International Association of Machinists & Aerospace Workers to discuss supporting American space leadership, local jobs, and the critical Artemis program. We are thankful for their efforts to help us get back to the Moon, to Mars, and beyond!

Meeting with our Florida Cattlemen

We welcomed the Florida Cattlemen's Association to Washington to discuss their budget priorities, including disease prevention and disaster relief. We are working to ensure they continue having the proper resources to feed America. I also had the opportunity to present the group with a Congressional Record certificate for recently retired Executive Vice President Jim Handley.

Disussing Education Funding with the Florida Education Association

As we see cuts to education funding, we met with the Florida Education Association to discuss school meals and SNAP, potential Medicaid cuts, and rural education programs. We are working to protect access for students and expand opportunities.

In the District

Recognizing Autism Awareness Month

To commemorate Autism Awareness Month, we visited the ABA Center in Celebration to learn more about the support they offer families and discuss concerns surrounding cuts to special education programs. I admire their dedication to improving the quality of life for children with autism and their families, offering hope for a better future.

Attending the Caribbean Fusion Festival in Kissimmee

We spent time with many dear friends at CAFA’s Caribbean Fusion Festival in Kissimmee over the weekend. We enjoyed some great oxtail, amazing music, and our band, Astromax, even played a few songs!

Team Soto is hard at work in our district connecting with the community. We are here to serve FL-09 and are grateful for the opportunity to do so.

Team Soto is here to help! We are holding weekly office hours at the Poinciana Branch Library, this week on it will be on Monday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Stop by to see how we can help you resolve issues with federal agencies or obtain federal benefits.

We are also holding weekly office hours at the Buenaventura Lakes Library on Wednesdays from 1 — 5 p.m.

MySSA Login Changes

The Social Security Administration (SSA) is officially transitioning away from its legacy login system. SSA will require anyone signing in with legacy credentials to migrate to Login.gov before accessing their mySSA account. Users will see an option to sign in with an existing Login.gov or ID.me account.

Toxic-exposed veterans in Central Florida deserve to access all their rightfully earned benefits without issue.



For more information, visit VA.gov/PACT or call 1-800-698-2411.

There has been an increase in PACT Act-related email, phone, and social media scams targeting veterans by offering to submit claims on their behalf. Click here to learn more.

Veterans can receive no-cost emergency mental health care at VA or non-VA healthcare facilities. Veterans can use this benefit whether or not they are enrolled in the VA system. This policy will save lives.

I'm proud to be your representative and look forward to our continued efforts to improve our district! Please do not hesitate to call my office with any questions or concerns.

In Community,

Congressman Darren Soto

Representative for Florida's Ninth Congressional District

Washington, D.C.

2353 Rayburn House Office Building

Washington, D.C. 20515

202-225-9889

Kissimmee

804 Bryan Street

Kissimmee, FL 34741

407-452-1171

Orlando

5800 South Semoran Blvd

Suite B (next to AdventHealth)

Orlando, FL 32822

407-204-3370