Dear Alexander,

This week, our Sinkhole Mapping Act passed in the Natural Resources Committee! This bipartisan bill will help map dangerous sinkholes & give community planners access to vital info regarding where sinkholes are likely to form—helping constituents & their homes.

In Washington, we are fighting back against President Trump's illegal firing of two Federal Trade Commission commissioners, Rebecca SlauPghter and Alvaro Bedoy. In the Energy and Commerce Committee, it is our duty to protect kids from exploitation, seniors from fraud, consumers from dangerous products, and more. Furthermore, we had the opportunity to meet with our Painter’s Union (IUPAT) members and discuss the critical role unions play in protecting workers' rights. Unions like IUPAT ensure fair wages, safe working conditions, and a voice for workers. Supporting unions means standing up for dignity, safety, and fair compensation for every worker.

In the district, We attended the St. Cloud's City Council meeting and voiced our support for a tourism push that highlights St. Cloud’s unique identity as “Soldier City." We also discussed key infrastructure projects like a potential SunRail stop and highway expansion. And of course, we loved hearing about Sammy the Sandhill Crane—St. Cloud’s mascot—and the children’s book local kids created about his adventures through town during a library workshop with a local author!

I'm proud and optimistic about our efforts this week and look forward to working back in the district and Washington next week to fight for our Central Florida community.

Poll of the Week

Do you support efforts to map potentially dangerous sinkholes before they become a threat?

Yes

Holding President Trump Accountable

America led the world in post-COVID recovery, with low inflation and unemployment, and strong investment and economic growth. While more work remained, the progress was clear—until President Trump’s return brought it all crashing down. His chaotic policies—tariffs, deportations, mass firings—have reversed much of the progress. Central Florida’s economy, from tourism and agriculture to defense production and medical research, is now being held hostage by his reckless tariff war, driving up prices and threatening widespread job losses. Trump’s continued push for a 10% across-the-board tariff is essentially a tax on American families and businesses, fueling mass layoffs and economic instability.

The manufacturing boom sparked by the CHIPS Act and Inflation Reduction Act is faltering under the weight of his destructive agenda. Meanwhile, credible concerns about corruption and insider trading loom large, as some Cabinet and Congressional members appear to have profited from this chaos. The House Oversight Committee must investigate and hold those responsible to account.

Legal Challenge Tracker

In Washington, D.C.

Protecting Consumers, Preserving the FTC

We are fighting back against President Trump's illegal firing of two Federal Trade Commission commissioners, Rebecca Slaughter and Alvaro Bedoy. In the Energy and Commerce Committee, it is our duty to protect kids from exploitation, seniors from fraud, consumers from dangerous products, and more. All these require a strong FTC to work!

Click here to view my remarks in committee

Promoting U.S. Leadership in Blockchain Technology

The U.S. Department of Commerce needs to take a more aggressive role in helping foster both blockchain & distributed ledger technology. Our bipartisan Deploying American Blockchains Act of 2025 will help us use these technologies to solve the toughest problems that face the nation & world.

Click here to view my remarks in committee

One Step Closer to Sinkhole Safety

Our Sinkhole Mapping Act passed in the Natural Resources Committee! This bipartisan bill will help map dangerous sinkholes & give community planners access to vital info regarding where sinkholes are likely to form—helping constituents & their homes.

Championing for UCF's Athletics Program

Great meeting with University of Central Florida's representatives to discuss their incredible athletics program & the role it plays in building school spirit & community pride. UCF continues to shape the future by educating Central Florida’s next generation of leaders.

Go Knights!

Advocating for our Postal Service Workers

We met with representatives of the National Association of Postal Supervisors to discuss some of the issues affecting Postal Supervisors, Managers, and Postmasters. Our postal service workers are essential in providing a reliable and affordable service all across our country.

Meeting with the International Union of Painters and Allied Trades

Had the opportunity to meet with our Painters Union (IUPAT) members in Washington, D.C., and discuss the critical role unions play in protecting workers' rights. Unions like IUPAT ensure fair wages, safe working conditions, and a voice for workers. Supporting unions means standing up for dignity, safety, and fair compensation for every worker.

Protecting Florida's Coasts

We met with the U.S. Youth Action Council for the UN Ocean Decade to discuss the importance of federal appropriations for ocean and climate initiatives—and how eco-justice isn’t just good for the planet, it’s good for our economy too. Florida’s future depends on protecting our coasts, investing in sustainable industries, and ensuring frontline communities aren’t left behind. Proud to stand with young leaders who are making waves for a more just and resilient future.

In the District

Discussing Veterans Tourism and Infrastructure Projects in St. Cloud

We attended the St. Cloud's City Council meeting and voiced our support for a tourism push that highlights St. Cloud’s unique identity as “Soldier City." We also discussed key infrastructure projects like a potential SunRail stop and highway expansion. And of course, we loved hearing about Sammy the Sandhill Crane—St. Cloud’s mascot—and the children’s book local kids created about his adventures through town during a library workshop with a local author!

Touring Siemens Energy Facilities

Today, we toured Siemens Energy's Wind Energy Academy and Energy Innovation Center in Orlando. These are essential clean energy technology facilities that allow Central Florida to work towards a more sustainable future. We must keep clean energy tax credits and stop harmful tariffs to protect these Central Florida jobs.

Supporting the Venezuelan Community

Honored to have spoken at the Summit of Venezuelan Organizations this week. It was a powerful gathering of voices committed to advocating for the Venezuelan community at home and abroad. Being in a room filled with leaders who understand the challenges we face—and who are actively working toward solutions—was both inspiring and humbling. I had the opportunity to talk about the importance of visibility, unity, and action to protect TPS. The work continues, and I’m more committed than ever to amplifying our voices and fighting for the future our community deserves.

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.

118th Congress End of Term Report

Click here for full report

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.

Click here for more information

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 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.

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.

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,