Remembering Pulse

Dear Alexander,,

This week marked eight years since Pulse nightclub in Orlando became the target of a senseless act of violence. Every day since this tragedy, we have worked to honor the legacies our 49 angels left behind and show the world that our Orlando Strong community will not be defined by hate.

As we continue working to combat discrimination and secure safety for all, our 49 angels and the 53 injured will always be at the forefront of our efforts.

In the Energy and Commerce Committee, I expressed my support for the bipartisan SPEAK Act to promote more multilingual healthcare access. In diverse Central Florida, our constituents speak a variety of different languages, especially seniors, and need better multilingual healthcare access.

We also joined Future Forum and the YouthInGov coalition in a press conference to show our support for H.R. 4444, which would establish an Office of Young Americans in the White House. We are proud of young people's dedication to creating change and wholeheartedly support them.

I'm proud of our accomplishments this week and look forward to working in the district next week to improve the lives of Central Floridians.

Poll of the Week

Do you support establishing an Office of Young Americans in the White House?

Yes

Remembering our 49 Angels

Eight years ago, on June 12, 2016, our Orlando community was changed forever when Pulse nightclub became the target of a senseless act of violence.

Every day since, we have honored the legacies our 49 angels left behind.

Last Congress, we proudly passed a bill to make Pulse a National Memorial. Now, this serves as a testament to the strength of our Orlando Strong community.

In Washington, D.C., I led my colleagues in a 49-second moment of silence on the House floor to honor those we lost. As we continue working to combat discrimination and secure safety for all, our 49 angels and the 53 injured will always be at the forefront of our efforts.

Good News for Central Floridians

$17 Billion Disney World Expansion Approved

We are thrilled to hear about Disney's major new $17 billion Walt Disney World expansion! This continued investment will help our tourism industry remain competitive and attract tourists from around the world.

$35 Cap for Inhalers

Under the leadership of President Joe Biden, we lowered insulin prices, hearing aid prices, and now inhaler prices. Inhalers will now be capped at $35 for most Americans! We will continue to push for lower healthcare costs through the Inflation Reduction Act and other executive and legislative actions.

Supreme Court Maintains Access to Mifepristone

On Thursday, the Supreme Court maintained access to widely used mifepristone. This decision marks a win for reproductive freedom. Since the case failed on standing, we will have more challenges ahead. We will continue working to ensure women have control over their own health decisions.

In Washington, D.C.

Promoting Access to Multilingual Healthcare Access

In diverse Central Florida, our constituents speak a variety of different languages, especially seniors. In this week's Energy and Commerce Committee markup, I expressed my support for the bipartisan SPEAK Act to promote more multilingual healthcare access.

Supporting Young People's Voice in Government

We joined Future Forum and the YouthInGov coalition in a press conference to support H.R. 4444, which would establish an Office of Young Americans in the White House. We are proud of young people's dedication to creating change and wholeheartedly support them.

Working to End Hunger in Central Florida

It was great to have Bread for the World in Washington this week to discuss the importance of protecting vital food assistance programs like SNAP. I was honored to receive their 2024 Hunger Award for our work to feed Central Florida families.

Attending the Congressional Baseball Game

It was great to attend the Congressional Baseball Game on Wednesday night! As a baseball fan, it’s always great to see both sides of the aisle come together for a friendly game of baseball. These types of events promote critical camaraderie.

Meeting with the Paralyzed Veterans of America

Team Soto was honored to meet with the Central Florida chapter of the Paralyzed Veterans of America to discuss legislation needed to further increase resources for local veterans. We remain dedicated to supporting those who have bravely served our country.

In the District

Celebrating Pride at Proud in the Cloud

Team Soto was honored to attend the City of St. Cloud’s first-ever LGBTQ+ pride event, Proud in the Cloud! We are proud to celebrate diversity, unity, and inclusivity in Central Florida.

Strengthening the U.S.—Korea Relationship

We were pleased to meet with Sangpyo Suh, Consulate General of

the Korean Consulate in Atlanta, for an insightful discussion on our bilateral ties and the U.S.—Korea alliance. We are proud of our partnership with South Korea, which is driving advancements in aerospace microchip research at NeoCity.

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.

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,