Economy
Darren believes the biggest issue facing our District and our Nation is the need for higher paying jobs. To meet these needs, Darren is working to foster strong long-term job growth by boosting existing high tech sectors in and around our District and supporting the robust tourism and agricultural industries which make up the foundation of our economy.
High Tech
Specifically, Darren supports further development of the University of Central Florida’s Simulation and Training program in East Orlando, developing the biotech industry at Medical City in Lake Nona, promoting sensors manufacturing in Kissimmee-St Cloud, the data storage and cybersecurity industry in Winter Haven, applied engineering programs at Florida Polytechnic in Polk County, and the space industry in neighboring Brevard County.
Over his legislative career, Darren has brought in millions of dollars in investments to support research and development and grow higher paying jobs right here at home.
Tourism
Visitors come from around the world to experience Florida's beautiful beaches, amazing theme parks, diverse native species, as well as our countless lakes, rivers and springs.
Darren successfully sought a seat on the Natural Resources Committee, to continue his career-long fight to protect our environment and quality of life and keep tourism going strong. He also supports the investments in airports, roads, railways, and ports infrastructure that we need to help employees get to work and visitors to their destinations.
Agriculture
Darren successfully sought a seat on the Agricultural Committee to support critical jobs for Central Florida and feed America.
He is fighting for continued funding to combat citrus greening which is hurting our groves, to advance cattle research, and to provide access to crop insurance for our emerging blueberry and peach growers.
As a member of the Subcommittee on Commodity Exchanges, Energy, and Credit, Darren is working to ensure the smooth functioning of commodity exchanges, promote access to agricultural credit, and support rural development and electrification. This work benefits 9th District farmers, consumers, and our economy.
Supporting Working Families
Prosperity begins by making sure America's working families get ahead in life and can pursue the American Dream.
That’s why Darren supports policies that keep and grow jobs in America, raise the federal minimum wage to $15 an hour, strengthen collective bargaining rights and workplace protections, increase access to quality education and healthcare, and protect Medicare and Social Security for our seniors and future generations.
Finally, Darren is working to assist Florida's strong cultural and economic partner, Puerto Rico, as our neighbors work to recover from a long recession. He will work on the Subcommittees on Indian, Insular and Alaska Native Affairs, and on Oversight and Investigations to ensure fair implementation of the PROMESA Act and assist our friends and family on the Island in returning to economic prosperity.
Selected bills on the economy co-sponsored by Congressman Soto:
H.R.357 - Overseas Outsourcing Accountability Act - to require the President to develop and release a comprehensive national strategy to prevent United States employers from overseas outsourcing and offshoring practices that impact the United States workforce.
H.R.255 - Promoting Women in Entrepreneurship Act - this bill amends the Science and Engineering Equal Opportunities Act to authorize the National Science Foundation to encourage its entrepreneurial programs to recruit and support women to extend their focus beyond the laboratory and into the commercial world.
H.R.24 - Federal Reserve Transparency Act of 2017 - this bill directs the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to complete, within 12 months, an audit of the Federal Reserve Board and Federal Reserve banks. In addition, the bill allows the GAO to audit the Federal Reserve Board and Federal Reserve banks with respect to: (1) international financial transactions; (2) deliberations, decisions, or actions on monetary policy matters; (3) transactions made under the direction of the Federal Open Market Committee; and (4) discussions or communications among Federal Reserve officers, board members, and employees regarding any of these matters.
More on Economy
ORLANDO, Fla. – Homeowners granted deferred payments because of unemployment linked to COVID-19 would no longer face balloon payments after the forbearance period expired under a new proposal sponsored by Rep. Darren Soto (D).
The Florida District 9 lawmaker told News 6 the current version of the CARES Act provides deferred payments of up to 180 days but still leaves the payment options to the lender.
Today, Rep. Darren Soto (FL-09) introduced H.R. 6632, the Save Our Homes Act, a bill that would create a simple, national plan for homeowners to save their homes from foreclosure in the midst of the Coronavirus Pandemic. Upon request, struggling homeowners receive a six-month forbearance plan and extension. After the forbearance period, they can begin making monthly mortgage payments. This would keep homeowners from being required to pay large balloon payments.
For weeks, Floridians have attempted to gain access to the state’s purposefully designed faulty unemployment system. While technology glitches have been a cause of frustration, those who have successfully submitted claims are left wondering when their benefits will kick in. This week Rep.
Not everyone is getting their stimulus check and many who are, are not getting the right amount.
Making matters worse, the IRS says its telephone assistance “is not available at this time” and it has “stopped all face-to-face service nationwide until further notice.”
“If I have to wait eight weeks for paper checks, like they are saying, ‘I’m probably going to be evicted,’” says Orlando resident Jennifer Dotson, who has been unable to log on to the IRS site to see where her stimulus check is in the process.
Rep. Darren Soto (FL-09), joined by fellow Florida Members of Congress, sent a letter to the Secretary Mnuchin of the Department of the Treasury and Administrator Carranza of the Small Business Administration requesting overtime and hazard pay protections for local essential service employees.
Today, Reps. Darren Soto (D-FL) and Ted S. Yoho (R-FL) introduced the bipartisan American-Made Protection for Healthcare Workers and First Responders Act to ensure the United States builds its stockpile of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). This bill is a House companion bill to Senator Rick Scott’s introduced in the Senate with the same title.
Rep. Darren Soto (FL-09) led Members of the Florida Congressional Delegation in sending a bipartisan letter that requests the Florida Cabinet in cooperation with the Florida Courts temporarily suspend all eviction and foreclosure proceedings in the State of Florida for 60 days during the national emergency of the coronavirus pandemic.
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Rep. Darren Soto (FL-09) celebrated the more than 400 bills, including more than 275 bipartisan bills still awaiting action in the GOP-controlled Senate, passed by the Democratic House Majority over the past year.
Kissimmee, FL – Today, U.S. Rep. Darren Soto (FL-09) announced that Osceola County will receive approximately $360,000 in federal grants from the U.S. Department of Justice to support initiatives that improve the criminal justice system through the Body Worn Camera Policy and Implementation Program and the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Program.
Central Florida is intrinsically connected to different regions of the world with economic, cultural, and political ties. Join our Town Hall from the convenience of your computer or mobile via Facebook Live to discuss how our foreign policy work in Congress affects you. We will discuss our Venezuela TPS Bill, my recent trip to the Middle East visiting our troops, the DREAM and Promise Act, our push to give Caribbean territories equal access to Medicaid, along with foreign policy issues we're tackling in Congress.