Economy
Congressman Soto strives to support a strong economy for Central Florida. Throughout his time in Congress, he has successfully helped deliver billions of dollars in federal investments to help our growing district thrive.
In the Energy & Commerce Committee, he is working across the aisle on legislation to strengthen tech, healthcare, and manufacturing efforts—including bills focused on addressing the U.S. microchip shortage, ensuring medical costs are clear and upfront, empowering local communities to decide if data centers are located in their neighborhoods, and more.
Rep. Soto has helped secure over $500 million in federal grants and contracts for NeoCity to continue aerospace microchip research and manufacturing, including a Department of Defense Cornerstone award.
In Lake Nona, Soto has helped bring funding to Medical City, voted for the UCF Medical School, and helped recruit Nemours Children’s Health.
In addition, Soto has secured over $500 million in federal funds to support our local airports—Orlando International Airport (MCO) and Kissimmee Gateway Airport.
Thanks to the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and other sources, Soto has helped secure millions of dollars for MCO to build a new Terminal C, add new gates, expand runways, build a pedestrian bridge, enhance restrooms, and more. In 2026, Soto announced nearly $70 million in U.S. Federal Aviation Administration funds for MCO to modernize restroom facilities.
Soto has also secured funding for Kissimmee Gateway Airport to upgrade their control tower and improve taxiways. In 2026, the U.S. FAA awarded Kissimmee Gateway Airport $10 million for a new control tower.
More information on Rep. Soto's work to support a strong economy for Central Florida can be found at:
More on Economy
KISSIMMEE, FL – Today, Congressman Darren Soto (FL-09) and members of the Florida Democratic delegation sent a letter to Governor Ron DeSantis expressing concern over his decision to withdraw Florida from the Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation Program (FPUC) on June 26, 2021. Currently, unemployed Floridians receive $300 per week in federal support in addition to state benefits.
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Darren Soto (FL-09) voted to pass H.R. 1319, The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, legislation that will provide urgently-needed resources to defeat the virus, get vaccines in people's arms, put money into families' pockets, return children safely to the classroom and put people back to work.
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.
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.