Protecting beautiful Central Florida

Dear friends and neighbors,

During another busy week in Washington, D.C., I had the opportunity to advocate for Central Florida in committee hearings, hear from Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, and vote to pass critical legislation.

Since Congress is working on the new Water Resources Development Act, I was able to join the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee to advocate for our needs in Central Florida and ensure that they consider clean water supply, remove hydrilla, and restore the Kissimmee River, Lake Toho, and East Lake Toho.

At the Energy and Commerce and Natural Resources Committees, I had the opportunity to speak about the benefits of making daylight saving time permanent as well as the future of the wireless frontier and how spectrum is keeping Americans connected across the nation.

During President Zelenskyy's virtual address to Congress, we solidified the importance of standing united with Ukraine to defend democracy, save lives, and hold Russia accountable. President Joe Biden also approved $800 million for anti-aircraft systems and drones to protect their airspace.

On the House floor, we voted to end forced arbitration and prevent hair discrimination by passing the FAIR and CROWN Acts. It is an honor to advocate for Central Floridians and pass these critical bills to create a more fair world for everyone.

As we continue facing COVID-19, please remember that the best way to keep you and your family safe is to get vaccinated and get tested. Households are now able to order four free at-home, rapid COVID-19 tests at COVIDTests.gov. The helpline to assist those unable to navigate the website can be reached at 800-232-0233.

The Biden Administration has also committed to sending N95 masks to local health centers across the country.

If you haven't already, please get vaccinated against COVID-19 to protect yourself, your family, and your community. COVID-19 vaccines are available to all Americans at no cost, regardless of their health insurance or immigration status. For more information about COVID-19 vaccines and to find an appointment near you, please visit vaccines.gov.

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

In Washington D.C.

Attending President Zelenskyy's Address to Congress

I was honored to join my colleagues for a virtual address to Congress by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Earlier this week, President Biden approved $800 million for anti-aircraft systems and drones to protect their airspace. We stand united with Ukraine to defend democracy, save lives, and hold Russia accountable.

Protecting our Sunshine

As a state legislator, I introduced a bill to make daylight saving time permanent for our tourism economy, local farmers, small business owners, children, and more. Now on the Energy and Commerce Committee, I'm proud to pursue reforms to end this bygone relic and protect our sunshine.

Click here to view my remarks

Marching from 5G to 6G and Beyond

I spoke with my Energy and Commerce colleagues about the future of the wireless frontier and how spectrum is keeping Americans connected across the nation. The Senate must pass the America COMPETES Act with CHIPS Act funding as we march from 5G towards 6G and beyond.

Click here to view my remarks

Working on the New Water Resources Development Act

We are working in Congress on the new Water Resources Development Act. I joined the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure to testify on behalf of our district to ensure our priorities are included in the Act. We will ensure clean water supply, remove hydrilla, and restore the Kissimmee River, Lake Toho, and East Lake Toho.

Click here to view my remarks

Protecting our Children's Health Coverage

I was proud to stand with the Florida Democratic Delegation to protect our children’s Florida KidCare health coverage. As Rep. Kathy Castor put it, 2.7 million children in Florida are enrolled in Medicaid and CHIP. Governor DeSantis must make plans now to prevent a mass disenrollment of children from their health insurance at the conclusion of the public health emergency.

Click here to read the full letter

Working to #StopAsianHate

I joined the AAPI and Georgia communities to honor the memories of the eight victims — including six Asian women — killed in an act of hate against Asian-owned spas last year. We mourn these tragic losses and vow to reject xenophobia as we work to stop Asian hate.

Passing the CROWN Act

Black women are 1.5 times more likely to be sent home from work because of their hair.

Young Black girls in our district and around the U.S. deserve to grow up in a world where their natural hair is a point of pride. I’m proud that we passed the CROWN Act to make that world a reality.

Ending Forced Arbitration

There’s no judge nor jury when it comes to forced arbitration. For too long, corporations and companies have used this loophole to escape accountability for defrauding consumers and cheating the system. It's time to change that. We passed the FAIR Act to end forced arbitration.

Attending the LULAC Conference and Reception

It was great to speak at the LULAC conference and attend their reception. We are so proud of their bold stance to support Puerto Rico statehood — a major Latino civil rights movement of our time.

Uplifting our Veterans

We met with the Save Our VA National Campaign to discuss how we can uplift veterans — like Mr. Farley from our district — by providing them with quality healthcare. We'll continue to uphold our nation’s promise to honor and protect our veterans — a promise forged in bravery and sacrifice.

Meeting With Second Harvest Food Bank

Second Harvest has served as a critical resource to Central Floridians for many years. I had the pleasure of meeting their new CEO Derrick Chubbs to discuss their policy priorities. I'm excited to get to work and make sure that no family ever goes hungry.

Keeping Physicians in Mind

Team Soto had a very productive meeting with Florida Medical earlier this week to discuss different ways to aid Florida's physicians and medical staff. Physicians work to keep us healthy and we must make efforts to aid them too.

Commemorating Equal Pay Day

On Equal Pay Day, the earnings of women in America catch up to those of men. We must recognize the reality of the gender pay gap and acknowledge that it is especially harmful to women of color. We stand with the hardworking women of our nation in demanding pay equity NOW.

Celebrating Saint Patrick's Day

Team Soto donned our lucky green earlier this week for St. Patrick's Day. We hope our friends and family in Central Florida and across the nation had a safe and joyous day of celebration.

In the District

Building Central Florida Back Better

We met with leaders in Lake Wales, Frostproof, and Solivita to discuss upgrades we will make thanks to the Build Back Better Infrastructure Law. Our district will improve the traffic, expand rural broadband, protect clean water, and increase job opportunities for future generations.

We also stopped at Johnny's Egg House in Frostproof for lunch and had delicious coffee at the Ranch Taproom and Coffeehouse in Lake Wales!

Hosting Governor Pierluisi at UCF

It was an honor to host Puerto Rico Governor Pedro Pierluisi at UCF's Puerto Rico Research Hub and Marita’s Latin Bites in Orlando. We discussed increasing partnerships between our regions in scientific research, education, tourism, the arts, and small business opportunities.

`Addressing the NHIT Convention in Orlando

I was pleased to welcome and address the NHIT convention in Orlando. We are thankful that they support access to healthcare in Central Florida.

NEW: Homeowner Assistance Fund

The Florida Department of Economic Opportunity has announced the opening of the federally funded Homeowner Assistance Fund to provide assistance to homeowners for mortgage delinquencies, defaults, foreclosures, and displacements, as well as loss of utilities, home energy services, and insurance.

Eligible homeowners must:

Have experienced financial hardship after, or that continued after, January 21, 2020
Meet income qualifications
Be a homeowner and be requesting assistance for your primary residence

Established under Section 3206 of the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, HAF provides $676,102,379 in financial assistance to the state of Florida through the United States Department of the Treasury. DEO has been designated to manage and operate HAF on behalf of the state of Florida. Financial assistance will be provided based on the needs of homeowners in Florida.

Click here to register

COVID-19 Testing in the District

It is incredibly important that anyone experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 gets tested. Tests in Osceola, Polk, and Orange county are free of charge.

In Polk County, testing is provided at the following location:

Auburndale Testing Center - 321 Ramsgate Road, Auburndale, FL 33823
Monday – Thursday: 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Friday: 8:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Appointments are REQUIRED. To schedule an appointment please call (863) 519-7911

In Orange County, testing is provided seven days a week at the following locations:

Barnett Park, 4801 W. Colonial Dr., Orlando, FL 32808 (9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.)

In Osceola County, testing is provided by appointment only at these locations.

COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution in the District

All Floridians five years of age and older are eligible to pre-register for a vaccine appointment NOW. After registration, individuals will be notified when appointments become available in their area.

Please visit this website to monitor updates provided by the state and do your part to end this pandemic and return to prosperity!

Pre-register here

If you live in Orange County, please continue to use their website.

In Polk County, The Florida Department of Health is providing COVID-19 vaccines to those wanting one from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the following locations:

Mondays - Lakeland Health Department, 3241 Lakeland Hills Blvd. in Lakeland
Wednesdays - Auburndale Testing location, 245 E. Lake Ave. in Auburndale
Fridays - Haines City Health Department, 1700 Baker Ave. E. in Haines City

COVID-19 Vaccines by County

As COVID-19 infections rise in Central Florida, we are working with local officials to provide up-to-date information on vaccinations. For more information on your county's distribution plans, please visit the websites linked below.

Orange County

Osceola County

Polk County

Florida has many sites that are providing COVID-19 vaccines. Appointments may be required and vaccine availability will vary from day to day and week to week.

Click here for a full list of vaccine sites in Florida

Click here for a vaccine finder

Federal Retail Pharmacy Program for COVID-19 Vaccinations and Community Vaccination Sites

Many local pharmacies and community sites are offering the COVID-19 vaccine. As we receive more information, we will update our list to ensure that everyone has access to these vaccination opportunities. At the moment, vaccinations are available at:

Publix

ALL Publix locations will be offering the COVID-19 vaccine
To register, please click here

CVS

To register, please click here

Walmart

Supercenter 1086, located at 4400 13th Street, Saint Cloud, FL 34769
Supercenter 817, located at 4444 W Vine St, Kissimmee, FL 34746
Supercenter 725, located at 36205 US Highway 27, Haines City, FL 33844
Supercenter 859, located at 2000 State Road 60 E, Lake Wales, FL 33898
Supercenter 3347, located at 7450 Cypress Gardens Blvd, Winter Haven, FL 33884
Supercenter 5420, located at 3250 Vineland Road, Kissimmee, FL 34746
Neighborhood Market 5846, located at 3183 West Vine Street, Kissimmee, FL 34741
Neighborhood Market 5265, located at 2125 Nolte Road, Saint Cloud, FL 34772
Neighborhood Market 4159, located at 2850 E Osceola Parkway, Kissimmee, FL 34743
To register, please click here

Sam’s Club

Sam's 4782, located at 4763 West Irlo Bronson Memorial Highway, Kissimmee, FL 34746
To determine eligibility and register, please click here

Winn-Dixie

To register, please click here

Central Florida Health Care

Call 866-234-8534 to be connected to a convenient site

FDOH Orange County - Night Lite Pediatrics Urgent Care

Located at 1267 W Osceola Pkwy, Kissimmee, FL 34741
Individuals can schedule an appointment here or by calling 407-569-0220

Centro Cristiano Dios De Pactos Church

Located at 1130 Simmons Road, Kissimmee, FL 34744
Vaccinations provided by appointment only
Individuals can pre-register here

Orlando VA Healthcare System at Lake Nona*

Located at 13800 Veterans Way, Orlando, FL 32827
Appointments and walk-ins are available

Orlando VA Healthcare System at Lake Baldwin*

Located at 5201 Raymond Street, Orlando, FL 32803

*To schedule an appointment, call (407)631-0499

Resources for Veterans

Take a moment today to check in with a veteran. You can direct them to mental health resources listed here.

Summer 2022 Internships

Congressional Art Competition

Maingate Complex Testing Site in Osceola

Schedule an appointment here

Vaccines in Orange County

Rental Assistance for Central Floridians

The programs below have been established to help residents in Polk, Orange, and Osceola Counties with rental and housing costs.

**NEW** Orlando COVID-19 Emergency Rental Assistance

For additional information and to apply, please click here.
Eligible households can receive up to 18 months of unpaid rent.

Orange County Emergency Rental Assistance Program

For additional information and to apply, please click here.

Osceola County Emergency Rental Assistance/Mortgage Foreclosure Prevention

To access assistance, please click here.

Osceola County COVID-19 Elderly & Disabled Housing/ Utility Assistance Program

Up to six months of assistance available
Must be 62 years of age or older or permanently disabled
Paper applications only. Packets will be available at Osceola County Human Services (1392 E. Vine Street, Kissimmee, FL 34744) on:
Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays (8:30 a.m. – noon)
Tuesdays and Thursdays (1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.)
Payments will be made directly to the mortgage company/landlord and utility company
If you have any questions regarding the program, please call 407-742-8403

What’s needed?
Driver’s license or state of Florida identification card
Current lease or mortgage statement in applicants/co-applicants name
Utility bill in applicants/co-applicants name
W-9 form from landlord, property manager, or mortgage company
SSDI eligibility documentation

Polk County Eviction Prevention Program

For additional information and to apply, please click here.

The Florida Department of Children and Families has launched the OUR Florida rental assistance program to provide rental and utility assistance to families in need. To verify eligibility and apply, please click here or call (833)493-0594 from 7 a.m. — 6 p.m. EST.

If you need help with utilities, please click here to access information from the United Way.

Emergency Rental Assistance Programs

The U.S. Department of Treasury has collected websites associated with grantees’ Emergency Rental Assistance (ERA) programs to help tenants and landlords find rental assistance programs in their local areas. Click here for more information.

Affordable Connectivity Program

The Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) is a Federal Communications Commission (FCC) program that replaces the Emergency Broadband Benefit Program (EBB Program) to help low-income households pay for internet service and connected devices. For more information, visit this website.

“We’ve Opened Safely” Program

Osceola County is working to promote safety and consumer confidence as businesses start to re-open in our district. The county is also allocating funding towards an emergency grant program for locally owned and independently operated small businesses that have been impacted by the pandemic. Click here for more information.

FEMA COVID-19 Funeral Cost Reimbursement

Under the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2021 and the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) will provide financial assistance for COVID-19-related funeral expenses incurred after January 20, 2020. For further information, please click here.

Fraud Alert: FEMA has received reports of scammers reaching out to people offering to register them for funeral assistance. FEMA has not sent any such notifications and will not contact people prior to them registering for assistance.

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,