Media

Washington, D.C. – Today, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) updated the list of Florida counties designated for Individual Assistance to include Lake, Orange, Osceola, Polk, and Seminole counties. Residents from these counties are now eligible to apply for FEMA's Individuals and Household program, an emergency fund available for residents who are financially unable to cover personal and home repair costs caused by Hurricane Irma.

Washington, D.C. – Today, Congressman Darren Soto announced that he will serve in a leadership role in the House Democratic Caucus Jobs for America Task Forces, a unified effort from the House Democratic Caucus to craft a real legislative agenda that will benefit hardworking Americans and middle-class families. The congressman will serve as co-chair for the New Economy Task Force, along with Representatives Susan DelBene (D-WA), Debbie Dingell (D-MI), and Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL).

Washington, D.C. – The bipartisan delegation of Central Florida sent a letter to President Donald Trump today urging the administration to designate Lake, Orange, Osceola, Polk, and Seminole Counties as eligible for individual assistance under the Federal Disaster Declaration for the State of Florida. If granted, the designation would allow the Central Florida counties directly affected by Hurricane Irma to apply for FEMA financial assistance under the Individuals and Household program.

Miami, FL – Florida's entire congressional delegation urged the Trump Administration to conduct "prompt review and approval of forthcoming requests for Individual Assistance" to additional counties in the wake of Hurricane Irma.

Washington, D.C. – Congressman Darren Soto sent a letter to Mr. Benjamin Friedman, Acting Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere, at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), addressing concerns that NOAA has not yet acquired backup Hurricane Hunter aircrafts after Congress approved a provision requiring so earlier this year.

WASHINGTON, D.C.— When Congress returns this week, the House of Representatives is scheduled to begin work on a spending bill to prevent a government shutdown at the end of September. Representatives Val Demings, Stephanie Murphy, and Darren Soto want the bill to include counter-terrorism funding for Orlando. The three filed an amendment that would add $20 million in additional funding to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) budget for grants to sustain training and equipment that was obtained with previous federal funds.

El congresista Darren Soto emitió la siguiente declaración en respuesta a los informes que el Presidente Trump está considerando la eliminación del exitoso Programa de Acción Diferida para los Llegados en la Infancia (DACA, por sus siglas en inglés), la cual ampara temporalmente de la deportación a casi 800.000 Dreamers que fueron traídos a los Estados Unidos desde su niñez:

Washington, D.C. – Congressman Darren Soto sent a letter to Secretary Ryan Zinke of the U.S. Department of the Interior today, expressing strong support for keeping the Florida Panther on the Endangered Species List. The Panther is recognized as Florida's official state animal and it is still at dangerously low numbers to ensure a healthy breeding population.

"This iconic and unique large cat has made great strides, but it is still far from ready to be taken off the [Endangered Species] list," Rep. Soto wrote in the letter.