Military & Veterans
Congressman Soto is a strong advocate for Central Florida veterans and service members.
During the 117th Congress, he supported the PACT Act to ensure veterans exposed to toxic burn pits get the care they need. Locally, he has worked with the Lake Nona and Kissimmee VA to expand mental health and cardiology services, as well as secure a women’s clinic at the Lake Nona VA.
Congressman Soto has also voted in support of the National Defense Authorization Act funding over the years, securing higher wages and better equipment, housing, and healthcare for our troops.
His office proudly works with local veterans experiencing issues with the VA—securing over $2.3 million in returned funds in just the last two years.
More information on Rep. Soto's work to support Central Florida veterans and service members can be found at:
More on Military & Veterans
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.
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.
U.S. Congressmen Darren Soto (FL-9) and Brian Mast (FL-18) today introduced legislation to streamline the opening of Congressional offices inside Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) facilities across the nation. The introduction of the bill, called the Improving Veterans Access to Congressional Services Act, follows Rep. Mast opening the first-ever Congressional office inside a VA facility at the West Palm Beach VA in January 2018 and Rep. Soto opening an office inside the Lake Nova VA in August 2018.
Congressman Darren Soto will open a new office space at the Orlando VA Medical Center in Lake Nona and host office hours for veterans every Monday and Friday from 9:00am until 3:00pm. Rep. Soto's Veteran Liaison staff will be present to directly assist constituents and help address concerns with federal agencies, specifically with casework regarding the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs.
Today, the U.S. House of Representatives passed six amendments offered by Congressman Darren Soto in the National Defense Authorization Act (HR5515), which authorizes funds and sets policy for defense-related activities for Fiscal Year 2019. Rep. Soto's provisions will advance high-tech manufacturers in the district, equip Florida's JROTC curriculum with cybersecurity and computer programming; and assist military members who are recovering from trauma related to sexual assault.
U.S. Congressman Darren Soto is proud to announce 12 students from Central Florida's Congressional District 9 have received and accepted appointments to U.S. Military Service Academies, well above the average number of appointments from congressional districts.
On April 15th, Congressman Soto visited the National Guard Armory in Central Florida as the Battalion staff completed trainings and prepared for their upcoming mission. Afterwards, Commander Colonel Glass and Rep. Soto discussed the additional resources needed for our soldiers to thrive: better equipment, newer gear, and more training facilities.