Recovering After Hurricane Milton

Dear Alexander,

In the wake of Hurricane Milton, we are mourning all Floridians lost and praying for families affected.

We have been on the ground in Central Florida assessing damages and working with FEMA and other agencies to ensure our district is considered for necessary aid.

We are pleased to announce that President Joe Biden approved a Hurricane Milton disaster declaration for Osceola, Orange, and Polk Counties. This will ensure that affected individuals and businesses can seek FEMA, SBA, USDA, and HUD recovery assistance and that our community can rebuild after this terrible storm.

For more information on resources provided by FEMA, the state of Florida, and local governments, please visit this FEMA site. You can also visit our Hurricane Resources page for updated resources and give us a call at 202-225-9889 if you have questions.

POTUS Has Approved Florida's Disaster Declaration

We are grateful to see that President Joe Biden granted a Major Disaster Declaration for the state of Florida, triggering the release of federal funds to help people, businesses, and communities recover from Hurricane Milton. The declaration includes Osceola, Orange, and Polk Counties.

Earlier this week, I joined my colleagues in the Florida delegation in a letter to President Biden supporting this declaration. We look forward to receiving essential federal resources to help our state respond to and recover from the catastrophic damages caused by the storm.

Assessing Hurricane Milton Damages

Visiting EOCs and FEMA's Command Center in Orlando

After the storm, we stopped by the Osceola Emergency Operations Center to personally thank our first responders for their work following the storm and receive updates on power outages.

We also visited the Orange County EOC to discuss how the county is managing post-storm recovery, especially as they have dealt with flooding in the past. I participated in a press conference with Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings and other Florida representatives.

I also spoke with City of Orlando officials to ensure we’re working together to bring relief to our community as quickly as possible.

We later visited the FEMA command center in Orlando to see firsthand the ongoing recovery efforts after Hurricane Milton. They are working tirelessly to provide relief and support to our communities.

We also visited the Polk EOC to thank our incredible first responders for their tireless efforts after Hurricane Milton hit. It was important to hear firsthand how the county is holding up.

Additionally, we met with Belle Isle Mayor Fouraker to discuss the damages caused by Hurricane Milton in the area. It’s crucial that we support our neighbors as they rebuild, and I’m committed to working together to make sure Belle Isle gets the resources it needs to recover.

Congressional Efforts for Hurricane Milton Relief

Calling on a Session to Approve Necessary Funding

I joined several of my colleagues in calling upon Speaker of the House Mike Johnson to hold a vote on a FEMA/SBA/USDA Supplemental to ensure these agencies are fully funded to help in Hurricane Milton recovery efforts.

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

New Online Passport Renewal

The State Department’s new Online Passport Renewal for U.S. citizens is available 24/7. This will make passport renewal easier and more efficient than ever before. The Department is streamlining and modernizing services to benefit the American public.

Click here to renew your passport online

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,