This week, Team Soto held our annual staff planning session in the district. We went to local small businesses, learned more about Valencia College's various training programs, visited the Osceola County Fair, toured SeaWorld's Rescue Center, and visited Orlando International Airport's Terminal C and new Brightline station, and more. Team Soto is proud to serve Central Floridians in FL-09.

In our Energy and Commerce Communications and Technolgy hearing, we discussed the importance of safeguarding our communication network from foreign adversaries. We passed bills like the Infrastructure Law, CHIPS, and Science Act to strengthen broadband and boost domestic manufacturing capacity.

  

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

Inflation dropped again in January down to 3.1%! Our Infrastructure Law, CHIPS Act, and Inflation Reduction Act continue to power the economy forward as supply chains and labor improve. Economic growth, jobs, consumer confidence, and the stock market are ALL up. We still have more to do to ensure economic prosperity for everyone.

We had our annual staff planning session in the district! First, we had a delicious Puerto Rican breakfast at Melao Bakery in Kissimmee to fuel us up for the day ahead. Then, we visited Valencia College to learn about their accelerated skills training programs. Next, we went to the Osceola County Fair to witness their livestock show and speak to a local ranching family about breeding and raising cattle. We followed with a visit to SeaWorld's Rescue Center, where they're working to protect manatees and restore our coral reefs. Lastly, we toured Orlando International Airport's state-of-the-art Terminal C and made a pit stop at our Brightline station that connects travelers to West Palm Beach, Fort Lauderdale, Miami, and soon Tampa. Our day wrapped up with dinner at The Porch in Edgewood, an incredible local restaurant. Team Soto is proud to serve Central Floridians in FL-09!

On my way to Washington, I stood in solidarity with TWU 566 during their informational picket at Orlando International Airport. Our flight attendants work incredibly hard to keep us safe, and they deserve better pay and fair working conditions.

As the Agriculture Committee continues working on the Farm Bill, we had the opportunity to communicate our priorities directly to U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. In Central Florida, we're committed to uplifting our farmers, ranchers, and growers and ensuring families can put food on the table.

At this week's Energy and Commerce Communications and Technology hearing, we discussed the importance of safeguarding our communication network from foreign adversaries. We passed bills like the Infrastructure Law and CHIPS and Science Act to strengthen broadband and boost domestic manufacturing capacity.

Last year, we introduced H.R. 3119 to commemorate Florida’s official marine mammal —the manatee—through a stamp. Shortly after, USPS announced a "Save Manatees" stamp for 2024. I was proud to speak about our bill with the Natural Resources Committee as we work to further fund conservation efforts.

I was proud to meet with the Florida Association of Community Health Centers and True Health and receive their Distinguished Community Health Center Advocate Award. Community health centers are essential to Central Florida. We will keep working together to strengthen federal regulations and expand health policy.

We met with the American Federation of Government Employees to discuss the support Veterans Administration and Social Security Administration workers need from Congress to keep the U.S. moving forward. We're working to ensure fair wages, better working conditions, discrimination protections, and more.

We were pleased to meet with the Florida Small Business Development Center Network to discuss our priorities for small business growth in the district and their impact on the Central Florida community. They've helped generate billions of dollars in sales, create jobs, access millions in capital, and more.

We met with the Alliance for Childhood Cancer to hear from families with a child battling cancer. We will work to continue funding the National Institutes of Health and the National Cancer Institute, as well as pass the Childhood Cancer STAR Act.

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.

Submissions for the Congressional Art Competition are now open! The winner will have the opportunity to have their artwork displayed in the U.S. Capitol.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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