Photo for Headline Surfer / Darren Soto the first person of Puerto Rican descent to serve in Congress from Florida for the past four years is seeking his third two-year term. YouTube video download / Soto campaign video posted Sept 15. Soto's campaign message header in Spanish - 'Luchando por Nosotros' translates to 'Fighting for Us.'
Posted: 2020-10-30 04:29:05
By HENRY FREDERICK / Headline Surfer
KISSIMMEE, Fla. -- Darren Soto's four years in Congress has truly benefitted Central Florida's populace, especially those in the diverse Latino community - Puerto Ricans, Venezuelans and Portuguese ethnicities.
Soto, 42, is proud to be the first person of Puerto Rican descent to serve in Congress from Florida as he should be.
This committed elected public servant is a Democrat, but he has risen above the partisan rut to get things done in Washington for the benefit of Central Florida and its melting pot of hard working citizens - from Kissimmee to Orlando and beyond.
Headline Surfer endorses Darren Soto for a third two-year term in Congress because his track record of success is truly defined.
This committed elected public servant is a Democrat (shown here in an Oct 10 pic from his Facebook page), but he has risen above the partisan rut to get things done in Washington for the benefit of Central Florida and its melting pot of hard working citizens - from Kissimmee to Orlando and beyond. Headline Surfer endorses Darren Soto for a third two-year term in Congress because his track record of success is truly defined.
An accomplished lawyer, legislator, environmentalist, and proud progressive representing the diverse, hardworking people of Central Florida in Congress, Soto, as described in his campaign bio Darren went into practice in Orlando after graduating from law school to stand up for people in the courtroom (and play music on the side).
Soto became involved with the Young Democrats and was elected to the Florida House at the age of 29. He served for 5 1/2 years in the Florida Housebefore he was elected to Florida Senate, where he served for four years.
During his nearly 10 years in the Florida Legislature, Soto worked to bring high-paying, high tech jobs to Central Florida; pushed for legislation to protect clean air, land, and water; expand and protect health care; help families facing foreclosure; and improve education.
Soto has made made the most of his four years in Congress with proven results.
Consider:
• Soto serves on the powerful Energy and Commerce Committee where he fights to increase access to healthcare for all Americans, to combat climate change and protect clean air and water, to boost American technology and innovation, and protect consumers.
• He has brought millions in federal funding back to the district for disaster relief, to improve infrastructure for SunRail, I-4 expansion and other new roads, to provide food and housing assistance, to support local agriculture, and to boost high tech high paying jobs, and help small businesses and the unemployed.
• Soto pushed for and helped pass major legislation to increase hurricane readiness, protect Florida’s coasts from foreign offshore oil drilling, preserve marine life, honor veterans and civil rights heroes, map sinkholes, designate the Pulse National Memorial, provide Medicaid parity to Puerto Rico, and grant temporary protective status to Venezuelan refugees.
Soto's opponent, Bill Olson, is a political newcomer, who is far from a household name: The GOP challenger is an Army veteran whose campaign platform puts a premium on fighting terrorism, shutting down illegal immigration, lowering taxes and reducing business regulation, much of which makes him an outsider in this Latino-rich district.
Olson has not demonstrated he can relate to the district's consituents - instead mirroring the ideology of President Trump. Soto clearly is the proven leader his constituents need to represent their pressing needs - especially in this COVId-19 pandemic that has crippled the economy and limited employment in predominantly Osceola County, west of Orlando.
Candidate Bio:
Personal: Darren Michael Soto was born Feb. 25, 1978 (age 42) in Ringwood, NJ. to a Puerto Rican father, O. Lou Soto, and an Italian-American mother, Jean Soto. He and his wife, Amanda, were married in 2013.
Professional: Experience includes working as President of D. Soto Law Offices, summer associate with L.A. Gonzalez Law Offices and financial analyst with Prudential Insurance.
Education: Earned a bachelor's degree in economics, and attended law school at George Washington University.
Activism: In 2006, he was named class counsel in the federal class action brought on behalf of Hispanic voters against the City of Kissimmee in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida.
In 2006, he was named class counsel in the federal class action brought on behalf of Hispanic voters against the City of Kissimmee in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida.
Family: His wife, Amanda Soto, has worked as a math and science coach in the Osceola and Orange County public schools and is a member of the Osceola County Classroom Teachers Association.
FAST FACTS: Congressional bills sponsored by Soto:
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To amend the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act to provide for the authority to reimburse local governments or electric cooperatives for interest expenses, and for other purposes.
11/02/2020: Referred to the Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management.
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To amend title XIX of the Social Security Act to improve access to adult vaccines under Medicaid.
11/02/2020: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
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Expressing support for Supreme Court decisions affirming the constitutionally protected right of same-sex couples to marry.
10/30/2020: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
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To amend the Immigration and Nationality Act to promote family unity, and for other purposes.
10/30/2020: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
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US HR3623 - Climate Risk Disclosure Act of 2019
Climate Risk Disclosure Act of 2019 This bill directs the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to require an issuer of securities to annually disclose information regarding climate change-related risks posed to the issuer, including an issuer's...
10/27/2020: Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 461.
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To establish an independent agency in the executive branch to be known as the Federal Institute of Technology, and for other purposes.
10/27/2020: Referred to the Committee on Education and Labor, and in addition to the Committees on Oversight and Reform, Ways and Means, Financial Services, Transportation and Infrastructure, Science, Space, and Technology, and Energy and Commerce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
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To provide funds to local educational agencies for personal protective equipment for educators and other staff, and students.
10/23/2020: Referred to the House Committee on Education and Labor.
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Denouncing the Maduro regime's efforts to hold fraudulent legislative elections, the absence of acceptable conditions to ensure free, fair, and transparent electoral processes in Venezuela, and the further erosion of Venezuelan democracy.
10/23/2020: Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.
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To amend the Public Health Service Act to establish the Public Health Oversight Panel to advise the agencies of the Public Health Service regarding the scientific basis for their actions, and for other purposes.
10/20/2020: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
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To direct the Secretary of Energy to carry out a grant program to improve the energy resilience, energy democracy, and security of communities, prioritizing environmental justice communities, and for other purposes.
10/20/2020: Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
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US HRes1199 - Congratulating the Tampa Bay Lightning for winning the 2020 Stanley Cup Final.
Congratulating the Tampa Bay Lightning for winning the 2020 Stanley Cup Final.
10/20/2020: Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Reform.
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To designate the Kissimmee Gateway Airport and certain surrounding areas as an enterprise community.
10/20/2020: Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
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US HR5068 - Women Who Worked on the Home Front World War II Memorial Act
Women Who Worked on the Home Front World War II Memorial Act This bill authorizes the Women Who Worked on the Home Front Foundation to establish a commemorative work on federal land in the District of Columbia in commemoration of the commitment...
10/19/2020: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
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US HR6813 - Promoting Alzheimer's Awareness to Prevent Elder Abuse Act
Promoting Alzheimer's Awareness to Prevent Elder Abuse Act This bill requires the Department of Justice (DOJ) to review and update, if necessary, certain best practices, replication guides, and other training materials for law enforcement, judicial...
10/19/2020: Received in the Senate. Read twice. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 571.
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To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 4755 Southeast Dixie Highway in Port Salerno, Florida, as the "Joseph Bullock Post Office Building". Designates the facility of the United States Postal Service located...
10/16/2020: Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Reform.
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US HRes1172 - Calling for the release of Cuban political prisoner Silverio Portal Contreras.
Calling for the release of Cuban political prisoner Silverio Portal Contreras. This resolution calls for the release of, and provision of medical attention to, Cuban political prisoner Silverio Portal Contreras, and it condemns the politically...
10/09/2020: Referred to the Subcommittee on Western Hemisphere, Civilian Security and Trade.
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Urging the people of the United States to observe the month of October 2020 as Italian and Italian-American Heritage Month.
10/09/2020: Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Reform.
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US HR8558 - Comprehensive Breast Reconstruction Act of 2020
To amend the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 to provide for health coverage of nipple-areolar complex tattooing in connection with reconstructive surgery following mastectomy and to amend titles XVIII and XIX of the Social Security...
10/09/2020: Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committees on Ways and Means, and Education and Labor, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
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US HR8529 - Protecting Access to Affordable Medicines Act of 2020
To amend title XIX of the Social Security Act to prohibit additional rebates under the Medicaid program for certain noninnovator multiple source drugs. function setCookieAndRedirect(event)
10/06/2020: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
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US HR8524 - Blockchain Records and Transactions Act of 2020
To amend the Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act to clarify the applicability of such Act to electronic records, electronic signatures, and smart contracts created, stored, or secured on or through a blockchain, to provide...
10/02/2020: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
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Expressing support for the designation of the week beginning on October 11, 2020, as National Wildlife Refuge Week. This resolution expresses support for the designation of National Wildlife Refuge Week. The resolution acknowledges the importance...
10/02/2020: Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
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US HR1966 - Henrietta Lacks Enhancing Cancer Research Act of 2019
Henrietta Lacks Enhancing Cancer Research Act of 2019 This bill requires the Government Accountability Office to complete a study reviewing how federal agencies address barriers to participation in federally-funded cancer clinical trials by...
10/02/2020: ASSUMING FIRST SPONSORSHIP - Mr. Mfume asked unanimous consent that he may hereafter be considered as the first sponsor of H.R. 1966, a bill originally introduced by Representative Cummings, for the purpose of adding cosponsors and requesting reprintings pursuant to clause 7 of rule XII. Agreed to without objection.
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Condemning unwanted, unnecessary medical procedures on individuals without their full, informed consent. This resolution condemns the performance of unwanted, unnecessary medical procedures on individuals without their informed consent and recognizes...
10/02/2020: Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
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US HR8502 - Rosewood Study Act
To authorize the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a special resource study of the site formerly known as "Rosewood", located in Levy County, Florida, and for other purposes. function setCookieAndRedirect(event)
10/01/2020: Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
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US HR7673 - Represent America Abroad Act of 2020
Represent America Abroad Act of 2020
10/01/2020: Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Voice Vote.
Henry Frederick is publisher of Headline Surfer, the award-winning 24/7 internet news outlet launched 12 years ago that serves greater Daytona Beach, Sanford & Orlando, Florida via HeadlineSurfer.com. Frederick has amassed more than a hundred journalism industry awards in print & online -- more than all other members of the working press combined in Central Florida since the mid-1990s. He earned his Master of Arts in New Media Journalism with academic honors from Full Sail University in 2019. Having witnessed the execution of serial killer Aileen Wuornos in Florida's death chamber and other high profile cases, Frederick has appeared on national crime documentary programs on Discovery ID and Reelz for his investigative reporting and cops & courts breaking news stories.