Protecting Central Florida’s Veterans, Children, and Seniors

Dear friends and neighbors,

This week, we spent time in Washington, D.C., and the district working hard for Central Floridians.

In Washington, D.C., we continued working to defend our full faith and credit and continue working to protect the economy and hardworking Americans. I voted against House Republicans' "Default on America" budget that will cut essential programs for veterans, children, and seniors, and crash the economy.

We were also pleased to receive the CHIPS Champion award from the Orlando Economic Partnership for our work to expand microchip manufacturing in the district. I look forward to continuing our collaboration with the partnership to keep Central Florida's economy moving forward.

Additionally, the Congressional Hispanic Caucus hosted an environmental justice roundtable with Democratic leadership, environmental experts, community representatives, and Administration officials to talk about how these issues affect our communities. Together, we will continue to find ways for us to ensure the historic provisions in the Inflation Reduction Act and the Infrastructure Law are accessible to all communities across the United States.

In the district, we joined UF/IFAS and the Agriculture Committee for a productive Farm Bill listening session. It is always good to hear from Florida farmers, ranchers, and growers who feed America. We will overcome our challenges, support SNAP, and ensure prosperity for the next generation.

I'm proud of our accomplishments this week and look forward to the informative events and meetings we will participate in next week.

Missed last week's newsletter? Click here to catch up

Share Your Success Story

Over the past two years, House Democrats have worked with President Joe Biden to deliver meaningful legislation to help hardworking Americans. If you have benefitted from a law/ program or have received help from our casework team, we'd love to hear from you.

Please fill out this survey to tell us your story

In Washington, D.C.

Protecting the Economy and Hardworking Americans

House Democrats are working to defend our full faith and credit and continue working to protect the economy and hardworking Americans. I voted against House Republicans' "Default on America" budget that will cut essential programs for veterans, seniors, and children, and crash the economy.

Accepting an Award from the Orlando Economic Partnership

I was honored to receive the CHIPS Champion award from the Orlando Economic Partnership for our work to expand microchip manufacturing in NeoCity in our district. I look forward to continuing our collaboration with the partnership to keep Central Florida's economy moving forward.

Hosting an Environmental Justice Roundtable with CHC

The Congressional Hispanic Caucus hosted an environmental justice roundtable with Democratic leadership, environmental experts, community representatives, and Administration officials to talk about how these issues affect our communities. Together, we will continue to find ways for us to ensure the historic provisions in the Inflation Reduction Act and the Infrastructure Law are accessible to all communities across the United States.

Delivering Welcoming Remarks at the CHCI Health Summit Latino Heart Health Panel

It was great to give welcome remarks at the CHCI Health Summit panel on Latino heart health. As heart disease cases continue to rise, we are committed to advancing research, increasing access to healthcare coverage, and improving culturally competent care that will help prevent, detect, and treat heart disease.

Attending President Yoon Suk Yeol's Address to Congress

As part of Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol's visit to the United States to celebrate the 70th anniversary of our alliance with South Korea, I had the opportunity to attend his address to a Joint Meeting of Congress with my guest Dr. Yong-Kyu "YK" Yoon — a professor working with NeoCity, the University of Florida, and various South Korean tech companies. This week, BRIDG signed a memorandum of understanding with the U.S. Department of Commerce and Korea to increase semiconductor research at NeoCity.

Meeting with our Florida Cattlemen

We were thrilled to have our Florida Cattlemen in Washington, D.C. We hosted them in our office to discuss their Farm Bill priorities and learn about legislation that would help them succeed. Honored to work with our cattlemen to ensure they can continue feeding America.

Hosting Members of our Painters Union

Our team with IUPAT’s DC78 to talk about promoting good-paying jobs for local workers on major federal projects across Central Florida funded by the new Infrastructure Law, the importance of apprenticeship programs, and strengthening collective bargaining.

Prioritizing and Supporting our Seniors

We met with the Senior Resource Alliance during their Capitol Hill Day to discuss their priorities for the appropriations process and legislation they support for the 118th Congress. We are grateful to work with them and the Osceola Council on Aging to help the senior population in Central Florida.

In the District

Hearing from our Farmers, Ranchers, and Growers

We are grateful to UF/IFAS for hosting the House Agriculture Committee for a productive Farm Bill listening session. It is always good to hear from Florida farmers, ranchers, and growers who feed America. We will overcome our challenges, support SNAP, and ensure prosperity for the next generation.

Securing $1.5 Million for UCF

We're proud to deliver a $1.5 million Department of Energy grant for

UCF's solar energy research program. The innovative tech they are developing will soon help bring solar supply chains back home and secure the supply of affordable clean energy that will lower energy costs.

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

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.

Veterans and their loved ones can stay updated on the effects of the Honoring our PACT Act by visiting VA.gov/PACT.

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 now 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 new policy will save lives.

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

Last year, House Democrats passed the Inflation Reduction Act. This year, millions of seniors will no longer have to ration their insulin because they can’t afford it. Just this week, insulin producer Eli Lilly said they are reducing their price by 70% with a $35 cap.

117th Congress End-of-Session Report

Click here for the full report

I am 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,