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Congressman Darren Soto

Representing the 9th District of Florida

Leadership in Action: The Hill's Newsmaker Series

December 8, 2017
In The News

Congressman Darren Soto spoke at an event at American University, along with Reps. Mia Love (R-Utah) and Adriano Espaillat (D-N.Y.), as part of The Hill's Newsmaker Series: Leadership in Action. The dialogue revolved around the importance of bipartisanship in Congress and the need for Members to work together to pass crucial legislation this month.

Rep. Soto shared his optimism for a more bipartisan environment, specifically when Members tackle local legislative issues directly affecting constituents. He also highlighted his experience working across the aisle during his tenure in the Florida legislature: 

"One of my most sobering moments was in my first town hall, at 29 years of age, and I told everybody about what issues I fought for, but then was asked 'Okay but what did you do?' And since then I've tried to answer that questions to constituents and get the job done for Central Florida."

As reported on The Hill:

Soto a member of the equal-parts-Republican-and-Democratic Problem Solvers Caucus, said he wasn't surprised at the partisanship on big issues, but pointed out the relatively easy procedure to clear run-of-the-mill legislation through Congress.

"My expectation was on the big issues it was going to be very partisan because the nation is divided," he said, adding that "bills are passing every day but they deal with commonsense things."

Soto said the current partisan climate is, in part, something voters chose.

"I view it kind of as pendulum politics," he said. "Right now it’s nasty because before that we had a president who was very inspiring and talked about taking the high road and I think a lot of Americans were looking for, apparently, something else."

But Soto said the way candidates run their campaigns also leaves a mark on the way elected bodies ultimately behave.

"The strongest force in politics is a well knowledgeable, inspiring candidate and ultimately elected official. That Jedi position is the strongest in politics, but it’s the hardest to do — you really need to know your stuff and you need to have a big vision," he said.


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Congressman Darren Soto is committed to working with colleagues from both parties to get the work done for the people of Florida's 9th District.