Military & Veterans
All Americans know that freedom isn't free. Our active military, veterans and their families give more than most and some give their lives to protect America and our way of life. Darren works closely with, and employs, veterans. He appreciates the sacrifices they make for all of us, and respects the sacred obligation our government has to serve those who have served us.
Darren will do everything in his power to make sure our 9th District veterans are cared for with dignity and provided the full benefits they have earned. He is opening a satellite office in Lake Nona at the University of Central Florida Medical School. Located right across the street from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) hospital, this office is specifically geared to serve our active duty military personnel and veterans.
Darren also believes strongly in ensuring that our VA hospitals provide high quality care in a timely fashion. He will support appropriate reforms to expand care and increase world class service. Please contact us if you know of any veteran who needs our help. We are happy to be of service!
In addition, Darren will attend Florida military base inspections and congressional delegation trips to check in with our Florida National Guard troops and other Floridians serving overseas, including in active war zones. It is critical for our troops to have the equipment and supplies they need to defend our country both at home and abroad.
Selected bills in support of veterans co-sponsored by Congressman Soto:
H.R. 328 - INVEST ACT - provide the work opportunity tax credit with respect to the hiring of veterans in the field of renewable energy.
H.R. 333 - Disabled Veterans Tax Termination Act - to permit retired members of the Armed Forces who have a service-connected disability rated less than 50% to receive concurrent payment of both retired pay and veterans’ disability, to extend eligibility for concurrent receipt to chapter 61 disability retirees with less than 20 years of service.
H.R. 334 - Victims of Agent Orange Relief Act of 2017 - to provide assistance for individuals affected by exposure to Agent Orange.
H.R. 488 - Military Spouse Job Continuity Act of 2017 - to allows the spouse of a member of the Armed Forces (military spouse) a tax credit for up to $500 of qualified relicensing costs incurred by the spouse.
H.R. 512 - WINGMAN Act - to permit veterans to grant access to their records in the database of the Veterans Benefits Administration to certain designated congressional employees.
More on Military & Veterans
WASHINTON, D.C. – Today, the U.S House of Representatives passed three amendments introduced by Rep. Darren Soto (FL-09) in the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which authorizes funds and sets policy for defense-related activities for Fiscal Year 2021. The bipartisan legislation will keep America safe, support U.S. service members with an urgently needed 3% raise, provide Space Force funding and increase protections for sexual assault victims.
A Central Florida family was torn apart when federal agents deported mom to Mexico.
Alejandra Juarez, the wife of a Marine veteran and mom to two girls, was forced to leave her Polk County home in 2018. The family’s story has been featured on Netflix.
“It has changed a lot. It has actually put me in a position that I didn’t think about. Now, people recognize me,” Juarez said in a Skype interview from Mexico.
The family says they decided to take part in the docu-series “Living Undocumented” to show a different side of illegal immigration.
Rep. Darren Soto (FL-09) delivered Valentine’s Day cards to veterans at the Lake Nona VA Medical Center. Two weeks ago, the Congressman called on students from his district to make handmade cards to show veterans that they are loved. His office received over a hundred submissions and wide participation from Ventura, Sand Lake and Boggy Creek Elementary Schools.
Today, Rep. Darren Soto (FL-09) announced his first ever “Valentines for Vets” initiative, a program in which elementary school students from all around his district are encouraged to write Valentine’s Day cards for veterans. The cards will be hand delivered by the Congressman on Valentine’s Day to the Lake Nona VA Medical Center.
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Rep. Darren Soto (FL-09) released the following statement after voting in favor of H.Con.Res. 83, A War Powers Resolution Limiting the President's Military Actions Regarding Iran.
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- It was a proud moment on a day more than 50 years in the making.
With his family on hand, Manuel Rodriguez patiently waited as U.S. Rep. Darren Soto, D-Fla., presented him with the Vietnam Gallantry Cross with bronze palm for valor.
Rodriguez, a combat-wounded Army "radio man" had been recognized with a Purple Heart and other commendations, but he'd never been recognized for his heroism.
In late 1967, two months before the Tet offensive, Rodriguez was in the dangerous region of Dak To.
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.
Today, Rep. Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.), joined by Reps. Raúl M. Grijalva (D-Ariz.), Darren Soto (D-Fla.), Vicente Gonzalez (D-Tex.), and Veronica Escobar (D-Tex.), introduced the Protecting Immigrant Gold Star and Military Families Act, following reports that the Trump administration is scaling back the Parole in Place program, which protects undocumented military family members from deportation.
Today, the U.S House of Representatives passed four amendments introduced by Rep. Darren Soto in the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which authorizes funds and sets policy for defense-related activities for Fiscal Year 2020. Rep. Soto’s legislation increases healthcare access for American troops and supports technological advances impacting Central Florida.