DARREN SOTO

A group of mostly Democratic congress members is proposing a binding plebiscite to decide whether Puerto Rico should become a state or gain some sort of independence.

VIDEO: Extension on work visas help shorten lines outside immigration office Extension on work visas help shorten lines outside immigration officeORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — There is progress tonight for people who have been waiting and worrying they’d get deported because of expiring work visas, after the process has gotten longer over the years. This comes weeks after hundreds of people were backed up waiting for appointments at the Immigration Enforcement Office. READ: New system helps ease long lines at Orlando immigration officeThe lines were so long, people slept outside in fear of missing their slotS. READ: People camp out overnight outside Orlando immigration office due to long linesImmigration attorney Frank Symporien said overall, thousands of people have been impacted. Video: Massive backlog of appointments at immigration office forces people to sleep outside, wait in lines A massive backlog of appointments at a local immigration office is forcing people to sleep outside and wait in long lines for their mandatory appointments.

U.S. Rep. Darren Soto, D-Kissimmee, joined anchor Justin Warmoth on "The Weekly" to discuss the potential ruling, inflation, and whether he believes the Biden Administration is doing enough to curb the high cost of living.

U.S. Rep. Darren Soto said the Supreme Court is getting closer to taking away a "fundamental right" from women.

A Florida lawmaker is now pressing the Osceola County Sheriff's Office to release more information about a deadly deputy shooting in the parking lot of a Target store five days ago.

While community leaders and politicians attempted to help those waiting, some have wondered: how did the situation become this extreme?

She said Biden “is looking at other executive authority options he has to bring relief to people who have student loans." Even so, remarks by several Democrats suggest a broad effort to ease student debt could help the party with minority voters. Cardenas said he told Biden that Hispanic students with college debt typically face higher long-term debt burdens than white students. The pandemic prompted then-President Donald Trump and Congress to begin providing student loan relief in March 2020. Other participants at that meeting said Biden expressed opposition to the restrictions but did not specifically say what he would do.

President Joe Biden has signaled he might forgive some student loan debt and further extend the federal moratorium on repayments.

AdventHealth University AdventHealth University is now one of 29 colleges and universities in Florida to earn a designation for its service to Hispanic students. (AdventHealth University)ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — AdventHealth University is now one of 29 colleges and universities in Florida to earn a designation for its service to Hispanic students. The school, which has campuses in Orlando and Denver, was recognized by the U.S. Department of Education as a Hispanic Serving Institution. According to officials, 35% of AdventHealth University’s undergraduates are Hispanic. Officials said the designation makes AdventHealth University eligible for additional funding to expand educational opportunities for Hispanic students and other underrepresented populations.

KISSIMMEE, Fla. — A congressman out of Central Florida wants to give SunRail users the option to ride on weekends. READ: Scientists zero in on what causes loss of smell, taste in COVID-19 patientsFlorida Representative Darren Soto (D - Kissimmee) is leading an effort to use funds from the recently-passed, bipartisan infrastructure law to expand SunRail service. “With the build back better infrastructure package going into law, we now have the money to potentially do that.”We are working to approve @RideSunRail weekend service! This is key to improve our quality of life in Central Florida. Our #BuildBackBetter Infrastructure Law may now provide the well-needed funding.

With Thursday marking one year since the U.S. Capitol attack, members of congress from Central Florida recall what they experienced that day.

Lawmakers and insurrectionists reflect on the Jan. 6 Capitol riot, one year later.

OSCEOLA COUNTY, Fla. — Florida has the most arrests of insurrectionists by far across the country with 76 cases opened here by federal agents. Now lawmakers all over the state are handling this one year anniversary some by remembering others by not mentioning it at all. Congressman Darren Soto was one of the 10 lawmakers stuck in the Chamber on Jan. 6, 2020. “We were surrounded by violent insurrectionists who sought to overthrow our democracy, they thought to stop the electoral count,” Soto said. “I think the nation is always somewhat divided and somewhat undivided,” Soto said.

In Tallahassee right now, Florida lawmakers are beginning the once-in-a-decade process of redistricting and the state’s booming population can change the political game in Central Florida.

Opposing Central Florida politicians have joined forces to pass legislation to save Florida’s coral from possible extinction.

Construction has started to relieve traffic at the troubled intersection of Interstate 4 and Champions Gate Boulevard.

Rep. Darren Soto announced on Twitter he has tested positive for the coronavirus, despite being fully vaccinated.

Rep. Darren Soto In this image from video, Rep. Darren Soto, D-Fla., speaks on the floor of the House of Representatives at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, Thursday, April 23, 2020. (House Television via AP, File)Rep. Darren Soto said Wednesday that he is experiencing mild symptoms of COVID-19 after recently testing positive for the virus. I encourage everyone to get vaccinated as soon as possible: https://t.co/3Mm7LPNMxT pic.twitter.com/vXNXAaSCTz — Rep. Darren Soto (@RepDarrenSoto) September 8, 2021The diagnosis is the latest known breakthrough case of COVID-19 in Congress. Since the start of the pandemic, officials have confirmed nearly 40.3 million COVID-19 infections and reported more than 650,800 deaths nationwide, according to numbers compiled by Johns Hopkins University. More than 222.1 million COVID-19 cases have been reported worldwide, resulting in nearly 4.6 million deaths, according to Johns Hopkins.

One week after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned the CDC’s moratorium on evictions, Central Florida legal assistance organizations have seen an uptick in calls for help.

Calls from constituents supporting the industry have grabbed lawmakers' attention as Congress debates the $1 trillion infrastructure bill.

A record-shattering number of sea cows have died this year.

With Florida seeing a record number of manatee deaths this year, two congressmen Monday said they have introduced legislation that would designate the sea cows...

Osceola County leaders are adding a courthouse liaison for the county's eviction and foreclosure diversion program as 1,643 evictions have already been filed with the court.

It was a busy week in the U.S. capitol; between the Jan. 6th insurrection hearing and the Centers for Disease Control's recommendations that all Americans should wear a mask indoors in public spaces.

“I thought there was gonna be a lot more people with how many people were talking about it,” Genna Cruz said. “Stop with blah blah blah Biden. I hear blah blah blah for 62 years!” Neredya O’Neil, a Cuban-American, said, sounding frustrated. He said lawmakers’ leverage was in their power of the purse, despite the fact that Biden had the bully pulpit. PHOTOS: Demonstrations in support of Cuba continue in OrlandoExpand Autoplay Image 1 of 10 Cuba demonstrations in Orlando Cuba demonstrations continue in Orlando.

Democrats have historically struggled to appeal to Cuban American voters amid fears of socialism.

Members of Congress from states hit hardest by planned Postal Service delivery slow downs say the agency should restore service and look elsewhere for cost savings.

Community leaders come together as part of a nationwide effort to raise awareness for the newly increased Child Tax Credit.

Nightclub Shooting Florida House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., is joined by members after signing a bill to create the National Pulse Memorial to honor the victims of the 2016 mass shooting at the Pulse nightclub in Orlando, at the Capitol in Washington, Wednesday, June 16, 2021. From left are Rep. David Cicilline, D-R.I., Rep. Val Demings, D-Fla., Rep. Stephanie Murphy, D-Fla., Speaker Pelosi, Rep. Darren Soto, D-Fla., and Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, D-Fla. Scott Applewhite) (J. Scott Applewhite)WASHINGTON — (AP) — House Speaker Nancy Pelosi called for stronger gun safety measures Wednesday as she marked Congress' passage of legislation designating the site of the deadliest attack on the LGBTQ community in American history as a national memorial. The bill creates the National Pulse Memorial at the site of the Pulse Nightclub in Orlando, Florida. The site will not be part of the National Park System and the measure forbids federal money from being spent on it.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has taken a formal step toward sending a bill to President Joe Biden that designates the site of the deadliest attack on the LGBTQ community in American history as a national memorial.

This month, the Orlando community has being devoted into honoring and cherishing the lives of the victims of the Pulse shooting. Today, another victory was...

ORLANDO, Fla. — The Senate has voted to make Pulse nightclub in Orlando a national memorial just days ahead of the five-year mark of the massacre that left 49 people dead. pic.twitter.com/kyAGdni1HX — Rep. Darren Soto (@RepDarrenSoto) June 9, 2021The bill was spearheaded by Rep. Darren Soto, Rep. Val Demings and Rep. Stephanie Murphy. READ: Photographer shares dozens of new images taken at Pulse, aftermathThe Senate has voted to designate the #PulseNationalMemorial. The memorial will serve as a national symbol of hope, love, and unity. #ForThe49 pic.twitter.com/5TcHq2ijVz — Rep. Val Demings (@RepValDemings) June 9, 2021READ: Exhibit marking 5 years since Pulse shooting open at Orange County Regional History Center“The memorial will serve as a national symbol of hope, love, and unity,” Demings said via Twitter.

The U.S. Senate passed a bill on Wednesday to make Pulse nightclub a national memorial site.

Dozens of people are expected to turn out at a vigil Tuesday night in downtown Orlando to honor the life of George Floyd, one year later.

The House of Representatives passed a bill on Wednesday to make Pulse nightclub a national memorial site.

Rep. Darren Soto held a news conference on Wednesday to discuss the case of a mother who was recently reunited with her family after being deported in 2018.

ORLANDO, Fla. — There was an emotional reunion at the Orlando International Airport on Saturday, as a mother who was deported from Central Florida three years ago reunited with her family. Alejandra Juarez is ready to celebrate Mother’s Day after she was deported to Mexico in 2018. Juarez lived in Central Florida with her family for two decades before she was deported. Soto introduced a bill called the “Protect Patriot Spouses Act” that will help this family if passed. Soto said his fight will not be over until she is granted a permanent stay.

The decades-long debate surrounding D.C., Puerto Rico and Guam statehood has been reignited. What's the best option?

President Biden last week signed the $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan as the world marked one year since the World Health Organization declared the virus a pandemic. [TRENDING: SpaceX launches 60 Starlink satellites | Weekend vaccine events for OCPS employees | Family speaks after deadly shooting]U.S. Rep. Darren Soto, D-Kissimmee, discussed how the relief package will impact Central Floridians on “The Weekly on ClickOrlando.com with Justin Warmoth.”AdSoto also talked about the vaccine rollout, the possibility of Puerto Rico becoming a state and the ongoing security threat at the U.S. Capitol. Use the form below to sign up for the ClickOrlando.com 4pm Trending newsletter, sent every weekday.

Its supporters argue that the federal government doesn't treat Puerto Rican citizens equally, something statehood would help rectify. A spokesperson for Ocasio-Cortez told CBS News the congresswoman does not back the statehood bill and continues to support a "process of self-determination for Puerto Rico." In November, Puerto Rico residents voted 52 to 48% in favor of immediate statehood on a ballot referendum. But the congressional passage of Puerto Rico statehood is far from guaranteed. "This is an issue of the rights of American citizens living in Puerto Rico that need to be heard."

FILE - In this July 29, 2015 file photo, the Puerto Rican flag flies in front of Puerto Rico's Capitol as in San Juan, Puerto Rico. (AP Photo/Ricardo Arduengo, File)ORLANDO, Fla. – A group of lawmakers on Capitol Hill have introduced a new bill that would give Puerto Rico statehood. The Puerto Rico Statehood Admissions Act is being sponsored by Central Florida Rep. Darren Soto and Rep. Jennifer Gonzalez, Puerto Rico’s nonvoting member of Congress. The measure aims to not only admit the island as a state but also allow the election of U.S. senators and representatives. In November, 52% of Puerto Rico residents voted in favor of immediate statehood.

With a significantly smaller crowd for Wednesday’s presidential inauguration, lawmakers from the Sunshine State will still represent Florida at the historic event. I will be attending the inauguration of President-elect Biden and Vice President-elect Harris today. 3:15 p.m. | Biden, Dr. Biden, Harris and Emhoff receive a presidential escort to the White House. 8:48 p.m. | Biden, Dr. Biden, Harris and Emhoff attend “Celebrating America” program. 9:55 p.m. | President Biden and Dr. Biden appear on the Blue Room Balcony.

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. – The inaugural audience will be a lot smaller this year, but some Central Florida lawmakers will be in attendance. As members of the 117th Congress, Democrat Representatives Darren Soto, Stephanie Murphy, and Val Demings are expected to be in attendance. Congressman Darren Soto of Kissimmee said the nation’s Capitol was secure on the eve of the inauguration of the 46th president. [TRENDING: Fla. leads nation in cases with new COVID variant | 12-year-old Orlando girl still missing | Biden inauguration will be different]“The Capitol is very secure. Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings said that he will be attending the inauguration as a guest of his wife, Congresswoman Val Demings.

ORLANDO, Fla. – Over the next five years, the iconic Stanton Energy Plant will be replacing the coal it now uses to generate electricity with natural gas. Trudell took News 6 inside the Stanton plant to show what this conversion would look like. Coal is stores in piles outside of the Stanton Energy Plant in Orange County. According to previous reports, eight other coal-burning plants in the state have either converted to natural gas, or they are in the middle of transitioning. He said the conversion to natural gas at Stanton has been a long time in coming.

President Donald Trump became the first president to be impeached twice on Wednesday. Murphy noted 10 republicans voted to impeach Trump in the House vote. Waltz voted to not impeach President Trump. The charge states President Trump endangered the security of the United States and the institutions of Government. It will take a 2/3 majority vote in the Senate to convict President Trump.

“When we started getting messages from our staff that violent protesters motivated by insightful language from Trump had reached the Capitol,” Soto said. Officials declared the U.S. Capitol complex “secure” after heavily armed police moved to end a nearly four-hour violent occupation by supporters of Trump. Republican and Democratic officials are directly blaming the sitting president for the storming of the Capitol by huge, angry crowds of pro-Trump protesters. Trump supporters stormed the barriers around the Capitol building, swarming the steps and breaking windows to into the building, video shows. Grayson agreed with other former and current lawmakers calling on Trump to step down from office.

— Marco Rubio (@marcorubio) January 6, 2021I want to wish every Hispanic family in FL & around the world a very happy #ThreeKingsDay! — Rep. Stephanie Murphy (@RepStephMurphy) January 6, 2021I was in the House Chamber. — Rep. Stephanie Murphy (@RepStephMurphy) January 6, 2021Sen. Rick Scott has not commented. Earlier today, Scott said he would "likely" vote against Biden electors Rep. Val Demings, characteristically, ripped into it:Rep. Stephanie Murphy was terse.Rep. Darren Soto:At 3:47 p.m., Sen. Scott has now commented:At 4:45 p.m., DeSantis tweeted a statement:At 5:28 p.m., Rep. Murphy tweeted:

California reported more than 50,000 new coronavirus cases and 293 deaths on Wednesday, Dec. 16, 2020, setting new daily records as hospitals struggled to keep up with the surge. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong, File)WASHINGTON – U.S. Rep Darren Soto, a Democrat who represents Florida’s Ninth Congressional District, is asking that the House Committee on Energy and Commerce investigate possible inconsistencies in Florida’s reporting of COVID-19 deaths around the time of the general election. Soto, along with Democratic Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz, wrote a letter on Friday to Chairman Frank Pallone requesting the investigation. The letter comes as Florida continues to report thousands of new coronavirus cases each day. On Friday, the state reported more than 13,000 cases for the second consecutive day, bringing the state’s overall total to 1,181,483 cases since March.

ORLANDO, Fla. – It’s been eight months since Congress passed the CARES Act but finding common ground for the next COVID relief package remains to be seen. While there’s broad support among members from both parties, they sharply disagree on the size and scope of it. U.S. Rep. Darren Soto (D-Fla.) joined News 6 anchor Justin Warmoth on “The Weekly on ClickOrlando.com” to discuss the timeline for another relief package and the promising news when it comes to a vaccine. On election day, Puerto Ricans voted “yes” on statehood, but the vote was non-binding -- meaning it would need Congressional approval before it can move forward. “Puerto Rico needs to become a state,” Soto said.

— District 3: Republican Kat Cammack has won Florida’s U.S. House seat held by her former boss, retiring Florida Republican Rep. Ted Yoho. He defeated Democrat Donna Deegan, a former television news anchor who has worked to raise money for breast cancer research and to help patients. — District 15: Republican Scott Franklin has won Florida Rep. Ross Spano’s seat in the U.S. House. Deutch was first elected in 2010 and represents a firmly Democratic district that includes parts of Broward and Palm Beach counties. A supermajority of Florida voters approved the amendment to the Florida Constitution that will raise Florida’s minimum wage from the current $8.56 an hour to $15 an hour by 2026.

Four Republican congressional candidates will be on the Florida August primary ballot for the U.S. House District 9. The U.S. House 9th District includes all of Osceola and parts of Orange and Polk counties. [2020 VOTER GUIDE: Everything you need to know ahead of Floridas primary election]In the last three elections, the District has elected Democratic candidates. Meet the Republican primary candidates below:Jose CastilloJose Castillo. He is also an ordained minister and his campaign slogan is faith, family, freedom. According to his campaign website, Ortiz is pro-life and pro-tax reform.

The presidential election is 11 weeks away and now that Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden has chosen his running mate, Sen. Kamala Harris, News 6s political analyst weighed in on the vice presidential pick and that means for the weeks ahead. Kamala Harris is gonna be able to hit several boxes. Shes African American and shes Asian.Clark said in 2016 the Democratic party lacked enthusiasm and greater voter turnout by the African American community. Soto and Harris both worked together in issues regarding Puerto Rico and during relief efforts for the island after Hurricane Maria. Kamala Harris extreme positions, from raising taxes to abolishing private health insurance to comparing law enforcement officials to the KKK, show that the left-wing mob is controlling Bidens candidacy, just like they would control him as president.

ORLANDO, Fla. – Democratic Rep. Darren Soto, of Florida, announced Friday that he is submitting legislation to establish the Pulse nightclub as a federally recognized National Memorial Site. The legislation was a combined effort between Soto, along with Florida Representatives Stephanie Murphy and Val Demings. The bill will be brought to the House floor for a vote by the end of June, according to a news release. “I am pleased to announce that Majority Leader Steny Hoyer has committed to bringing our bill to the House Floor for a vote before the end of June. According to a new release, the legislation passed by unanimous consent on March 11 in the House Committee on Natural Resources.

“There is still going to be additional help that may be needed,” the Democrat told News 6 Monday. Despite a big trading day on Wall Street, Soto was more concerned with the wave of unemployment that has gripped Central Florida. [Financial Fight: News 6 town hall focuses on economy during coronavirus pandemic]“My main concern is Main Street rather than Wall Street,” Soto said. “Basically this is day 15 of my process of filing for unemployment.”Tosney’s 9-year old son Christian is attending classes through distance learning. If you have an issue regarding unemployment benefits, your budget or stimulus checks email mholfeld@wkmg.com

The Coronavirus Disease 2019 continues to rapidly evolve. Though COVID-19 has been around since the end of 2019, the virus is spreading and little research has been made public. AdvertisementAccording to the CDC, COVID-19 has led to 647 total cases of the virus, and 25 deaths within 36 states, including the District of Columbia., at time of publication. This data only includes those confirmed and presumptive positive cases of COVID-19 reported to the CDC or tested at the CDC since Jan. 21. I encourage you to not let the worries about the Coronavirus impact a fun and restful spring break, Deichen said.

Soto, who represents Osceola and Orange Counties, is hoping to get some of that money to Central Florida. “I write today to bring your awareness to drinking-water discoloration in portions of St. Cloud,” Soto wrote in the letter on Friday. Cloud city officials, the one resident with black water was due to a construction issue. Cloud officials said more than two years ago their water polishers broke, sending sediment into the water system. City officials shared pictures with News 6 Thursday showing how they say it’s working.

CNN videoORLANDO, Fla. - Representatives and senators from Florida were among those voting in favor of wanting to see more of the whistleblower complaint that has now led to talk of possible impeachment of the President Donald Trump. On Wednesday evening, the U.S. House of Representatives approved a resolution asking for the full complaint to be turned over to the House Intelligence Committee. Demings is a Democrat who represents the Orlando area, and she also sits on the House Intelligence Committee. Gaetz is a Republican from the Florida Panhandle, and he told his colleagues on the House floor on Wednesday that he still supports Trump. "There is no quid pro quo between President Trump and President Zelenskiy for anything," he said.

Below is a list of big stories from ClickOrlando.com, as well as a brief summary of this week's interview on "The Weekly." U.S. Rep. Soto talks gun control legislationMembers of Congress are back in their home states currently, but busy at work. U.S. Rep. Darren Soto sat down with News 6 anchor Justin Warmoth to talk about what he'd like to see happen when it comes to gun control, like background checks - and reinstating the assault weapons ban. Police looking for skateboarders seen in downtown Orlando beat downIn witness video, Orlando police said a group of men are seen getting into an argument before things turn violent. Masked intruder caught in vending machineVolusia County deputies "apprehended" a raccoon that broke into Pine Ridge High School.

So, I think the Senate has plenty to do just to pass those, but there's more work to be done. Is that going to necessarily end these mass shootings?" Soto: "There's multiple things that need to happen to lower these mass shootings, but let's start with those that are hugely popular and bipartisan. After 2004, we saw the deaths in mass shootings triple, and it may be getting closer to quadrupling now with the number of mass shootings. We didn't see these newscasts every day about mass shootings back during that period.

ORLANDO, Fla. - Hours before Puerto Rico Gov. "Puerto Rico today has only gotten about a third of the over $40 billion that Congress allocated early last year. Soto introduced a bill that would allow Puerto Rico statehood, which he says would benefit the island in many ways. The benefits of statehood would allow Puerto Rico to have two U.S. At that time,the people of Puerto Rico will also have the opportunity to vote for a new governor.

Cloud, Soto introduced her as as "a cardiologist with Orlando Health Regional Hospital, a longtime adviser on health care for him, and a doctor who showed her mettle and heroism after the Pulse nightclub shooting," according to the health department report. "That night, because Im gay, it struck me even harder because these were my people. "Florida Politics' Scott Powers interviewed McCarthy immediately after the town hall requesting credentials, which she was unable to provide. Rep. Soto later issued a statement decrying McCarthy's "sick fabrications. She had been presented by them and by several local Democratic and LGBT organizations as being a doctor.

McCarthy, a Democrat from Sanford, filed to run for the House District 28 seat, which represents northeast Seminole County. Introduced by Soto as an ER doctor who treated some of the Pulse victims, McCarthy said she was a registered nurse and then decided to go back to medical school at 47 to become a doctor. The night of the Pulse shooting, McCarthy said she "was working at Orlando Health." "That night of Pulse, I personally removed 77 bullets from 32 people," McCarty said. People at the town hall can be heard reacting with wow.She also brought bullets she said were extracted from people," but not Pulse victims.

ORLANDO, Fla. – Florida and national lawmakers have come out in support of Orlando and the victims of the Pulse nightclub shooting, which took place exactly one year ago Monday. Guilty of nothing more than celebrating who they are, 49 Pulse victims lost their lives, and more than 50 others were injured in a horrific act of gun violence." Join me in taking a moment to remember the 49 innocent lives lost one year ago today in the #Orlando terrorist attack. We will NEVER FORGET the victims who lost their lives one year ago today in the horrific #PulseNightClub shooting. #OrlandoUnitedDay pic.twitter.com/OFFUVAFBJM — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 12, 2017One year later, we honor 49 of our fellow Americans of @pulseorlando and continue to pray for their families.