Going Back to the Moon

Dear Alexander,

This week, we celebrated the successful launch of United Launch Alliance's Starliner from Cape Canaveral and Space X's Starship launch, which survived the trip out of Earth's atmosphere and back. In Washington, we had the opportunity to hear from the Artemis II crew, who will launch from Cape Canaveral on the Orion spacecraft and spend 10 days orbiting the Moon. We're proud to collaborate with our patterns in the space industry on the journey to take humans back to the Moon!

During the week, our team was honored to attend the bipartisan White House picnic. We are proud of our work with President Joe Biden to boost higher-paying jobs, lower costs, rebuild our infrastructure, expand healthcare, protect our environment, and defend our democracy.

In addition, we participated in this year’s Congressional Hurricane Preparedness & Recovery Symposium. We discussed strategies for hurricane preparedness, disaster management, and current efforts to build strong and storm-resilient energy grids.

Over the weekend, we kicked off Pride at the City of Kissimmee’s PrideFest, where we honored our local LGBTQ community and reaffirmed our dedication to supporting equal rights and inclusivity in Central Florida and across the nation.

Next week, in collaboration with the U.S. Department of State, we will host two Passport Fairs to help constituents who need a passport or have passports that are expired or will expire in the next year.

I'm proud of our accomplishments this week and look forward to working in the district and Washington, D.C., next week to improve the lives of Central Floridians.

Poll of the Week

Are you inspired by recent advancements in space exploration?

Yes

Good News!

ULA's Starliner Launched from Cape Canaveral

Godspeed, Wilmore & Williams! This week, United Launch Alliance successfully launched Starliner from Cape Canaveral. This is an important step forward in human space flight and our national capacity. Next stop: the International Space Station!

One Step Closer to Going Back to the Moon

SpaceX completed another successful flight of Starship, which showed it can survive the trip out of Earth's atmosphere and back! Thanks to these innovations, we are one step closer to going back to the Moon.

In Washington, D.C.

Meeting the Artemis II Crew

We had the opportunity to hear from the Artemis II crew, who will launch from Cape Canaveral on the Orion spacecraft and spend 10 days orbiting the Moon. We're proud to work with NASA to support their mission to take humans back to the Moon.

Attending the Bipartisan White House Picnic

Team Soto was honored to attend the bipartisan White House picnic. We are proud of our work with President Joe Biden to boost higher-paying jobs, lower costs, rebuild our infrastructure, expand healthcare, protect our environment, and defend our democracy.

Participating in the Congressional Hurricane Preparedness & Recovery Symposium

I was thrilled to attend this year’s Congressional Hurricane Preparedness & Recovery Symposium in Washington. We discussed strategies for hurricane preparedness, disaster management, and current efforts to build strong and storm-resilient energy grids.

Celebrating 30 Years of the Entertainment Software Association

Honored to attend the 30th anniversary of the Entertainment Sports Association. We spoke with the talented team at EA Sports—creators of Madden NFL and EA Sports College Series in Central Florida. They've been a powerful catalyst for innovation, job creation, and enjoyment for millions.

Discussing Investments at MCO with GOAA

It was great to meet with GOAA CEO Kevin Thibault to discuss how our recent FAA renewal is improving air travel, the Sunrail/Brightline expansion, and the over $200M we have for Orlando International Airport's Terminal C and runways thanks to the Infrastructure Law. We are proud to support world-class travel for Central Florida.

Welcoming Publix to Washington

Team Soto was honored to welcome Publix to Washington. We had a productive meeting to discuss ongoing efforts to secure food programs in the Farm Bill to continue feeding Central Florida families. We also had a chance to enjoy some delicious treats from home.

Meeting with the Florida Health Care Association

It was a pleasure to host the Florida Health Care Association in our Washington office to discuss their efforts to improve long-term care services for seniors in Florida. We're working together to improve outcomes and help advocate for caregiver benefits.

Discussing Protections for Venezuelans with My Voice Counts

We met with My Voice Counts to discuss our bipartisan Venezuelan Adjustment Act to secure a pathway to permanent residency for Venezuelans, as well as efforts to secure Temporary Protected Status and other protections for those fleeing the Maduro regime.

In the District

ICYMI: Honoring WWII Veterans on D-Day

Thursday marked 80 years since D-Day, and we honored the sacrifices made by the Allied forces on June 6, 1944. We owe our freedoms to the immense bravery of those who served.

I recently had the opportunity to speak with local World War II veterans who recounted their D-Day experience. Sergeant Melvin "Mel" Jenner from Central Florida was in Normandy to honor this day. On D-Day, he was tasked with flying up and down the coast photographing the invasion. I was honored to hear him tell his story firsthand a few weeks ago.

Celebrating Pride in Kissimmee

Happy Pride Month! We kicked off Pride at the City of Kissimmee’s PrideFest, where we honored our local LGBTQ community and reaffirmed our dedication to supporting equal rights and inclusivity in Central Florida and across the nation.

Team Soto in the Community

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.

Important Updates for Central Floridians

Team Soto Office Hours

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.

Invest.gov/Invertir.gov

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.

Visit Invest.gov for more information

Visite invertir.gov para más información

Special ACA Enrollment Period

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.

Click here for more information

PACT Act Resources for Veterans

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.

Emergency Mental Health Care for Veterans

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.

Insulin is Now No More Than $35/Month for Seniors

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.

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,