Later in the week, President Joe Biden visited Congress to deliver his State of the Union Address. In his speech, he highlighted the importance of protecting democracy at home and abroad, continuing to strengthen the economy, protecting the Affordable Care Act, Social Security, and Medicare, restoring Roe v. Wade, and more. He also spoke about the impact bills like the Infrastructure Law, Inflation Reduction Act, CHIPS and Science Act, and PACT Act have made to help us lower healthcare costs, combat climate change, fix the traffic, improve our world-class-airport, and invest in semiconductor manufacturing.

I was honored to invite Stephanie Palacios, Director of Advocacy & Government Relations for Second Harvest Food Bank, as my guest. Together, we are working to lower food costs, secure funding for programs like SNAP and TEFAP in the Farm Bill, help Central Florida families keep food on the table, and empower our farmers, ranchers, and growers.

This morning, we learned that the American economy added another 275,000 jobs last month and unemployment is at 3.9 percent. Bidenomics is at work!

This week, I voted to deliver nearly $14 million in Community Project funds for our district as part of the FY24 budget. We successfully secured ALL 15 projects requested, including efforts to secure affordable housing, flood control, clean water, pedestrian safety, traffic reduction, and health research.

As President Biden said last night, the state of our union is strong. Today, we learned that the American economy added another 275k jobs last month and unemployment is at 3.9 percent. While we still have a ways to go, Bidenomics at work!

President Joe Biden visited Congress to deliver his State of the Union Address. In his speech, he highlighted the importance of protecting democracy at home and abroad, continuing to strengthen the economy, protecting the Affordable Care Act, Social Security, and Medicare, restoring Roe v. Wade, and more. He also spoke about the impact bills like the Infrastructure Law, Inflation Reduction Act, CHIPS and Science Act, and PACT Act have made to help us lower healthcare costs, combat climate change, fix the traffic, improve our world-class-airport, and invest in semiconductor manufacturing.

I was honored to invite Stephanie Palacios, Director of Advocacy & Government Relations for Second Harvest Food Bank, as my guest. Together, we are working to lower food costs, secure funding for programs like SNAP and TEFAP in the Farm Bill, help Central Florida families keep food on the table, and empower our farmers, ranchers, and growers.

Team Soto and the Congressional Hispanic Caucus hosted a roundtable with the Department of Housing and Urban Development and community stakeholders to discuss barriers to affordable housing for vulnerable communities and solutions to the housing crisis. Proud to co-sponsor Housing for All Act this week, a comprehensive, generational investment to make housing more affordable for millions of Americans.

I was honored to invite Jimmy Torres-Vélez, Executive Director of APM/Iniciativa, Florida, as my guest. We are proud of his work to improve and advance Puerto Rican and Latino communities in Central Florida.

We celebrated the recent announcement that BRIDG was named an NSF Regional Semiconductor Innovation Engine. I was proud to vote for the CHIPS and Science Act last Congress, which authorized the NSF Engines program. As the NSF begins disbursing these funds, I look forward to working with our partners at BRIDG to produce next generation aerospace microchips and micropackaging.

We met with Tampa Electric and had a productive discussion about initiatives to achieve their net-zero climate goals, as well as exploring the opportunities presented by the Infrastructure Law and the Inflation Reduction Act.

It was great to host Orange County Fire Rescue in Washington to discuss our work to secure SAFER + AFGE grants, healthcare, worker's compensation, retirement benefits, and other legislative priorities. I was also proud to work with our local heroes on these initiatives. I was also proud to vote YES on the Firefighter Cancer Registry Reauthorization Act.

We had the opportunity to tour the JCQ Services facility, which specializes in construction work, transportation, and warehousing. We learned about their prefabrication operations and upcoming innovative tiny home projects.

We met with the Alianza Center to discuss grant opportunities for non-profits, as well as delve into affordable housing opportunities in East Orlando aimed at uplifting our most vulnerable communities. We take great pride in supporting organizations dedicated to serving our community.

Had a productive meeting with the Consul General of India this week. We discussed ways to strengthen our ties and deepen the relationship between the U.S. and India.

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.

Submissions for the Congressional Art Competition are now open! The winner will have the opportunity to have their artwork displayed in the U.S. Capitol.

Team Soto is here to help! We are holding weekly office hours at the Poinciana Branch Library on Mondays and Fridays 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.

American manufacturing is back and stronger than ever. Thanks to the Infrastructure Law and the Inflation Reduction Act, we're witnessing job creation and increased investment across the country and right here in Central Florida.

El Presidente Biden y los Democratas estamos invirtiendo en Estados Unidos e implementando niveles históricos de inversiones públicas y privadas gracias a la Ley de Infraestructura.

We secured an extension of the special health care enrollment period from March 31, 2023, through July 31, 2024 for those affected by the end of pandemic-related Medicaid continuous coverage.

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.

During the 117th Congress, House Democrats passed the Inflation Reduction Act. Now, millions of seniors no longer have to ration their insulin because they can’t afford it.

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