This week, we hosted U.S. Department of Transportation Under Secretary of Transportation for Policy Carlos Monje for a roundtable on the future of Central Florida transportation. We were joined by state reps and reps from Osceola County, Central Florida Expressway Authority, LYNX, Ironworkers Local 808, and Brightline. We also visited the Champions Gate Diverging Diamond along I-4, the LYNX facility in Orlando to learn more about their electric buses, and the soon-to-open Brightline station at Orlando International Airport.

We were proud to host U.S. Department of Transportation Under Secretary of Transportation for Policy Carlos Monje for a roundtable on the future of Central Florida transportation. We were joined by state reps and reps from Osceola County, Central Florida Expressway Authority, LYNX, Ironworkers Local 808, and Brightline.

Later, we visited the Champions Gate Diverging Diamond along I-4 which was built using mostly federal funds. We also secured over $2 billion for the I-4 Beyond the Ultimate expansion from Osceola Parkway to U.S. 27 and over $1.3 billion for the Poinciana Parkway Connector. This is helping us fix the traffic in Central Florida.

Then, we toured LYNX in Orlando and showed Under Secretary Monje the fleet of electric buses that are already serving our community. We recently secured a $16.1 million grant — created by the Infrastructure Law — to support their plans to transition their fleet to green vehicles.

Finally, we stopped at the soon-to-open Brightline station at Orlando International Airport. This station will connect Orlando to Miami starting in a few weeks thanks to the Infrastructure Law and soon go to Tampa thanks to $16 million in design grants we helped secure for the next phase.

Team Soto celebrated Labor Day with our local unions and workers. We've made great progress this year with the updated Davis Bacon Rule, infrastructure projects at places like Orlando International Airport thanks to the Infrastructure Law, the Inflation Reduction Act, the CHIPS and Science Act, and President Joe Biden's initiative to clarify worker protections from extreme heat. Let's keep fighting.

In modern America, not having an internet connection means you're left in the dark — especially for rural communities. From jobs to education, and healthcare to staying connected to family and friends, the internet is essential. We had a great roundtable discussion with Heart of Florida United Way, local advocates, and Congressman Maxwell Alejandro Frost about ways to bridge the digital divide. I’m proud to have voted for the new Infrastructure Law that is bringing high-speed internet to rural areas and upgrading urban and suburban areas.

I was thrilled to spend an afternoon speaking to our union brothers and sisters at the Florida Building Trades Convention in Orlando. We're using funds from the Infrastructure Law to update our ports, improve Orlando International Airport, expand I-4, and more. All while using union labor.

Team Soto visited Polk County Fire Rescue stations in Poinciana, Loughman, and Solivita to thank first responders for their bravery and service. We talked to firefighters about their efforts to respond quickly to fires, vehicle accidents, health emergencies, and forest fires, while raising awareness about child drowning risks. We're proud to support our first responders by facilitating access to grants that help improve emergency services and public safety in fast-growing Polk County.

Team Soto got to visit the United States Tennis Association at their amazing National Campus in Lake Nona. We are proud to have the world’s largest public tennis facility with over 90 courts and home to great players like Ben Shelton and Madison Keys in Florida's Ninth Congressional District.

Team Soto held an important meeting with our Justice Advisory Board to discuss the tragic Jacksonville shooting, the need to continue pushing for meaningful gun reform legislation like the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, and the removal of State Attorney Monique Worrell.

We met with our Healthcare Advisory Board to discuss recent drug negotiation updates thanks to the Inflation Reduction Act, the 340B program to help more eligible patients, addressing the nursing shortage, enrolling those losing Medicaid coverage into the ACA exchange, and more. Proud to work with healthcare professionals to keep Central Floridians healthy and safe.

I am honored to recognize former Kissimmee Police Chief Jeffrey O'Dell for his 30+ years of dedicated service to Orlando and Kissimmee as officer and chief of police. Chief O'Dell's commitment to public safety spans decades and his story is now immortalized in the Congressional record.

My colleagues in the Florida Democratic Delegation and I sent a letter urging the Department of Energy to expand access to federal renewable energy rebates for Floridians made possible through the Inflation Reduction Act and the Infrastructure Law. Governor DeSantis rejected nearly $346M in rebates — we must find a way for Floridians to benefit from these cost-savings.

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.

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 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.

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. As of July 1, 2023, Americans on Medicare Part B can see their insulin copays capped at $35 per month.

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