Lifting Up Dreamers

Dear Alexander,

This week, I thanked President Biden for his efforts to expand legal protections for immigrant spouses, children of U.S. citizens, and college-educated Dreamers. This will help preserve many Central Florida families and boost our local economy. Many Americans already believe that non-citizen spouses of U.S. citizens have a quick path to legally stay in the country. However, this is not the case. The President's actions will provide well-needed relief to nearly 550,000 families. Dreamers have made our country stronger for years. We are pleased to see the President take steps to empower Dreamers with degrees and high-skilled job offers by improving their access to work visas and pathways to citizenship so they can continue contributing to America.

We had a passionate discussion with families helped by President Biden’s new immigration reform. The executive order expands legal protections for immigrant spouses and kids of U.S. citizens and college-educated Dreamers. Thanks to the Puerto Rican Chamber of Commerce of Central Florida for hosting this compelling roundtable!

Additionally, I joined the Osceola Chamber during their annual Osceola County Update and provided a legislative update with projects we've delivered for Central Florida. We discussed jobs, infrastructure, environment, and community projects that Team Soto was able to provide to Central Florida.

I was honored to attend a wonderful Juneteenth celebration in Kissimmee. We celebrate Juneteenth, remembering the terrible scourge of slavery and how our country overcame it under President Lincoln. Two years after the Emancipation Proclamation, Union troops arrived in Galveston Bay and announced that enslaved blacks in Texas were finally free.

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

Do you support legal action to keep families with noncitizen spouses and children together?

YES

Good News for Central Florida

President Biden's New Legal Actions to Keep Families Together

This week, President Biden, expanded legal protections for immigrant spouses, children of U.S. citizens, and college-educated Dreamers. This will help preserve many Central Florida families and boost our local economy. Many Americans already believe that non-citizen spouses of U.S. citizens have a quick path to legally stay in the country. However, this is not the case. Today's action will provide well-needed relief to nearly 550,000 families. Dreamers have made our country stronger for years. We are pleased to see the President take steps to empower Dreamers with degrees and high-skilled job offers by improving their access to work visas and pathways to citizenship so they can continue contributing to America.

Click here for more information

In the District

Discussing Immigration Reform

Providing a Legislative Update during Osceola Update

I joined the Osceola Chamber during their annual Osceola County Update and provided a legislative update with projects we've delivered for Central Florida.

We discussed jobs, infrastructure, environment, and community projects that Team Soto was able to provide to Central Florida. We delivered over $500 million for NeoCity and $431 million for Green Garden Village, creating thousands of higher-paying jobs in Central Florida. Thanks to the Inflation Reduction Act, Osceola County may get the LARGEST solar project in America with the FPL Solar Farm.

We've secured $3.5 billion for the Beyond I-4 Ultimate Expansion, along with $1.3 billion for the Poinciana Parkway Connector, and over $200 million for our state-of-the-art Orlando International Airport! Additionally, we've allocated over $25 million for the Brightline/SunRail expansion.

It is crucial for us to protect our Kissimmee Chain of Lakes. We delivered $164 million, which is authorized for flood control and restoration of Big Lake Toho, East Lake Toho, and Shingle Creek.

In 2024, our appropriations law funded nearly $14 million in community projects like affordable housing, flood mitigation, pedestrian safety, and more. This year, we submitted 15 requests totaling over $30 million for road improvements, flood control, public safety, and other projects.

Delivering $1 Million for LYNX

Joined local leaders and business owners to unveil the new LYNX Public Service Bus! I was also honored to present $1 million for Lynx bus pullouts and safety enhancements. This funding will improve passenger safety and provide eco-friendly shelters across Central Florida.

Celebrating Caribbean Heritage Month

Team Soto honored local community leaders in celebration of Caribbean Heritage Month. Each of these individuals represents the important role that the Caribbean community plays in strengthening our country. We cannot thank these individuals enough for their tireless work as they continue to improve our community.

Hosting a Housing Roundtable

I was joined by Kissimmee City Commissioner Janette Martinez and Hope Center Representative Will Cooper for a housing roundtable to discuss the progress being made to expand affordable housing in Central Florida. In the past year, our district has received over $30.3 million in federal grants to assist with affordable housing, community development, and homelessness assistance. We have also secured $1 million in funding for the Hope Partnership, $1.9 Million for the City of Kissimmee’s Haven on Vine, $5 Million for Buen Vecino BVL, and $400,000 for Salvation Army, all to provide affordable housing to families experiencing poverty in FL-09.

Meeting with our Healthcare Advisory Board

Met our Healthcare Advisory Board and shared our progress on 12 bills passed through the Energy and Commerce Committee, including support for autism research, lung cancer awareness, telehealth enhancements, and multilingual healthcare. Grateful for our local healthcare leaders' insights on improving care for Central Florida.

Receiving an Update from Osceola Sherriff's Office

It was great visiting the Osceola County Sheriff’s Office to learn about their Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force. We secured $500,000 in COPS funding for this program and requested an additional $500,000 in FY2025 funding. We are proud to support their efforts to protect our kids online.

Commemorating Juneteenth

Honored to attend a wonderful Juneteenth celebration in Kissimmee. We celebrate Juneteenth, remembering the terrible scourge of slavery and how our country overcame it under President Lincoln. Two years after the Emancipation Proclamation, Union troops arrived in Galveston Bay and announced that enslaved blacks in Texas were finally free.

Attending the Vanguard Awards

I was happy to celebrate Osceola County's outstanding black community leaders at the Vanguard Awards luncheon hosted by the Black Empowerment and Community Council. Congratulations to our Team Soto member, Leah West, for receiving the Vanguard Civic Impact Award for her public service!

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.

This week...

2023 End of Year Report

Click here for full report

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,