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Rep. Soto’s 28 Legislative Wins in Appropriations Bill

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Washington, D.C. Today, the Conference Report to keep the government open and fund important priorities was signed into law. The legislation is the product of a bipartisan, bicameral Conference Committee agreement. It includes the following 28 funding provisions– 2 amendments and 26 language report additions – which were spearheaded by Congressman Darren Soto:

INTERIOR

  • $1,000,000 increased funding for the United States Geological Survey for Sinkhole mapping
  • Everglades Restoration – encourages continued support for the restoration of the everglades.
  • STEM Engagement – encourages the Smithsonian to create more STEM coordination across the country while also increasing the capacity of the Smithsonian to offer more programs, experiences, and services with STEM education.
  • Increased Understanding and Access to Sinkhole Information – encouraged the USGS to advance our understanding of the mechanisms to trigger sinkholes and to expand the information contained on the USGS’s current website

HOMELAND SECURITY

  • Advanced Sensor technology for First Responders – expands the Science and Technology Directorate to focus on developing and fielding next generation first responder technologies that utilize advanced sensors and imager technologies.
  • Anti-Spoofing Technologies – Encourages the Department of Homeland Security to continue to pursue the development of technologies to combat the practice spoofing by criminals to commit fraud over the phone.

COMMERCE, JUSTICE, SCIENCE

  • Commercial Crew – encouraged NASA to stick to its launch schedule, and asked for an assessment of the ability of contractors to meet the milestones to ensure we have domestic access to the International Space Station.
  • Outer Planets and Ocean Worlds – encourages and funds the next generation of deep space missions who’s primary goal is to discover life in the solar system. Specifically the Europa clipper and Europa Lander with a timeline of launch between 2022 and 2024.
  • Puerto Rico and US Territories – encourages the Census Bureau to include all citizens of the United states, including those in Puerto Rico and other territories to be included in its estimates of US residents population and other national statistics. Directs report on feasibility of expanding all census surveys to all US territories.
  • Orbital Debris Removal – encourages NASA to take steps to develop and acquire technologies that will enable the Administration to decrease the risks associated with, and to remove, orbital debris.

AGRICULTURE

  • Virtual Currency Monitoring – encourages the CFTC to monitor virtual currencies, such as Bitcoin futures contracts and the underlying cash markets to which these futures are settled to detect, investigate, and prosecute fraud and manipulation in these markets.
  • $26,550,000 increased funds to the Rural Cooperative Development Grants. Final bill funded the program at $29,100,000.
  • $1,500,000 increased funds to the Agricultural Innovation Centers. Final bill funded the program at $2,500,000.
  • Vector Control – Urges USDA to utilize pest management programs and partner with organizations to conduct research to develop and test effective mosquito repellent, create new molecular pesticide technologies that prevent mosquitoes from reproducing, and explore natural products to deter pests.
  • Zika Outreach and Education – directs the USDA to either continue or expand its education and outreach efforts through the WIC program to provide pregnant women zika prevention information.

FINANCIAL SERVICES

  • $1,000,000 increased funding for tax counseling for the elderly, for a total of $9,890,000.
  • $500,000 increased funding for IRS Identity Theft Casework for a total of $5,500,000.
  • Puerto Rico Assessment – directs the Treasury Department to provide a report to the Congress on how the Department has used its authority to provide technical assistance to Puerto Rico for the past fiscal year and how it plans to use its authority for fiscal year 2019.
  • Financial Literacy – encourages the Department of Treasury to explore ways to expand federal financial literacy programs, especially in rural communities.
  • Increase broadband access in the Territories and Tribal Lands – concern about the disparity in access to broadband access between the territories, tribal lands, and 50 states. Encourages the FCC to implement policies that increase broadband access in the territories and tribal lands.
  • Cybersecurity safeguards – encourages the department of treasury to coordinate further development of workable cybersecurity safeguards across the financial service sector.

TRANSPORTATION, HOUSING, URBAN DEVELOPMENT:

  • $678,000,000, increased funding for housing for the elderly.

STATE AND FOREIGN OPERATIONS

  • $65,000,000 increased funds to combat trafficking in persons. Final bill funded the program at $67,000,000.
  • $15,000,000 increased funds to promote democracy and rule of law in Venezuela. Final bill funded the program at $17,500,000
  • Burma – increased bilateral economic assistance and international security assistance to support the Burmese refugees and Rohingya minority.
  • Monitoring and Combating Trafficking in Persons – requires that the National Human Trafficking Resources Center hotline phone number to be posted at all US embassies where visas are processed and on US embassy websites where visa application information is posted.
  • USAID to Burma – expands support to provide crisis assistance and recovery programs for refugee returnees and internally displaced people.
  • Rohingya refugees – makes the plight of the Rohingya minority in Burma and Bangladesh a priory within the State Departments bilateral relations with Bangladesh.

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Florida Freedom Stay Perfect at Home as Nashville Stampede Win Sixth Straight at PBR Freedom Days

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SUNRISE, Fla. (FNN SPORTS) — The Florida Freedom remained perfect on their home dirt Saturday night, defeating the New York Mavericks 89-86.8 for their second consecutive victory at PBR Teams Freedom Days at Amerant Bank Arena.

The victory improved Florida to 5-2 on the season and extended its overall winning streak to three games, keeping the Freedom one game behind the league-leading Nashville Stampede.

Nashville improved to 6-1 after defeating the Texas Rattlers 259.45-89.15 for its sixth consecutive victory.

Florida Freedom Go 2-for-2 at Home

Florida needed only one qualified ride to secure its second victory of the homestand.

Austin Richardson delivered it in the opening frame, riding Blazin Halos Late Night Toss for 89 points. The score ultimately proved enough to secure the Freedom’s 89-86.8 victory.

New York’s Leonardo Castro responded with an 86.8-point ride aboard EmmDee, his first qualified ride of the season, but the Mavericks could not overtake Florida.

The Freedom finished 1-for-5, while New York also went 1-for-5.

Florida entered Saturday after winning its Freedom Days opener Friday and has now won three consecutive games dating back to the league’s Oklahoma City event.

With a 5-2 record, Florida sits alone in second place behind Nashville.

Nashville Stampede Extend Historic Winning Streak

The Nashville Stampede continued their league-leading start by defeating Texas three rides to one.

Nashville entered Saturday having established an organization record with its fifth consecutive victory Friday. The Stampede extended that record to six Saturday.

Alan de Souza opened Nashville’s scoring with an 87.2-point ride aboard Dealer’s Choice.

Texas briefly moved ahead when Brady Fielder posted an 89.15 aboard Texas Slim, but it would be the Rattlers’ only qualified ride of the game.

Rogério Venâncio put Nashville back in front with 88.55 points aboard Political Cowboy before Daniel Feitosa added 83.7 points on Lights Out during a re-ride opportunity.

Nashville finished with 259.45 points to Texas’ 89.15, improving the Stampede to a league-best 6-1.

Texas dropped to 4-3.

Austin Gamblers Rebound Against Missouri

The Austin Gamblers bounced back from Friday’s loss with a 178.1-90.6 victory over the Missouri Thunder.

Three-time PBR World Champion Jose Vitor Leme opened the scoring for Austin with an 89.05-point ride aboard Linebacker.

Missouri’s Felipe Furlan answered with the highest-scoring ride of the game, posting 90.6 points aboard Geralt.

Sage Steele Kimzey then delivered Austin’s decisive ride, scoring 89.05 aboard King Ding A Ling.

Austin improved to 3-4, while Missouri also moved to 3-4.

Defending Champion Carolina Cowboys Move Above .500

The defending PBR Teams champion Carolina Cowboys improved to 4-3 with a 261.95-175.45 victory over the Oklahoma Wildcatters.

Oklahoma’s Trace Redd opened with an 88.5-point ride aboard Diamond Back, but Carolina answered with three consecutive qualified rides.

Guilherme Valleiras scored 84.95 points aboard Organized Chaos, followed by Keyshawn Whitehorse’s 88.95 aboard Hoobastank. Adriano Salgado completed the Cowboys’ scoring with an 88.05-point ride on Hay Train.

Oklahoma’s Kase Hitt added 86.95 points aboard XIT Socks In A Box.

The Wildcatters fell to 3-4.

Arizona Ridge Riders Defeat Kansas City

The Arizona Ridge Riders improved to 4-3 after defeating the Kansas City Outlaws 266.9-174.4.

Luciano De Castro led Arizona with an 89.55-point ride aboard The Heat. Eduardo Aparecido added 88.6 points on Chili Mango, while Elizmar Jeremias scored 88.75 aboard Power Trip.

Kansas City’s Sandro Batista scored 87.05 points on Free Flight, while Hayden Welsh added 87.35 aboard Strawberry.

Arizona finished 3-for-5, while Kansas City went 2-for-5 and dropped to 2-5.

PBR Teams Standings After Saturday

Following Night 2 in Sunrise, Nashville leads the league at 6-1, with Florida alone in second place at 5-2.

  1. Nashville Stampede — 6-1, 1,589.9 points
  2. Florida Freedom — 5-2, 1,249.85
  3. Arizona Ridge Riders — 4-3, 1,500.2
  4. Texas Rattlers — 4-3, 1,153.45
  5. Carolina Cowboys — 4-3, 1,062.75
  6. Austin Gamblers — 3-4, 1,281.2
  7. Missouri Thunder — 3-4, 1,070.35
  8. Oklahoma Wildcatters — 3-4, 884.25
  9. Kansas City Outlaws — 2-5, 966.35
  10. New York Mavericks — 1-6, 1,132.35

Freedom Days Finale

The Florida Freedom will look to complete an undefeated homestand when PBR Teams Freedom Days concludes Sunday at Amerant Bank Arena.

Competition is scheduled to begin at 1:45 p.m. ET, with live television coverage beginning at 2 p.m. ET on The CW.

Nashville will enter the finale looking for a seventh consecutive victory, while Florida has an opportunity to keep pressure on the league leaders and close its home event with a perfect record.

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House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, Jim Jordan, Randy Fine Endorse Joe Strada for Congress

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People attend an abortion-rights rally at the Utah State Capitol Saturday, May 14, 2022, in Salt Lake City. Demonstrators are rallying from coast to coast in the face of an anticipated Supreme Court decision that could overturn women's right to an abortion.(AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)

ORLANDO, Fla. (FNN NEWS) — Republican congressional candidate Joe Strada announced endorsements Thursday from House Majority Leader Steve Scalise and U.S. Reps. Jim Jordan of Ohio and Randy Fine of Florida, adding support from prominent conservative leaders to his campaign for Florida’s 11th Congressional District.

Strada, founder of Strada Services, said the endorsements reflect confidence in his business experience and commitment to advancing conservative priorities in Congress.

Conservative Leaders Rally Behind Strada

House Majority Leader Steve Scalise praised Strada’s private-sector leadership and pledged his support for the campaign.

“Joe Strada is a strong conservative Republican who will stand with President Trump to help us deliver on the America First agenda for hardworking families in Central Florida and across the country,” Scalise said. “Joe Strada has my full endorsement because, as a businessman, Joe knows firsthand what it takes to solve problems, create jobs and empower those who are willing to work for their piece of the American Dream.”

U.S. Rep. Jim Jordan highlighted Strada’s workforce development efforts and business record.

“Joe Strada has built the American Dream for countless families in Florida and across this great nation,” Jordan said. “He’s tackled the skilled worker shortage by building his own training program and graduating students directly into the workforce. Now, more than ever, we need leaders like Joe Strada in Congress because he is a problem solver who will stand up for our shared conservative values and with President Trump.”

Florida Congressman Randy Fine also endorsed Strada, citing their shared business backgrounds and longtime friendship.

“Joe Strada doesn’t just talk about the American Dream—he’s helped thousands of Floridians live it,” Fine said. “While Washington created problems, Joe built solutions by creating his own workforce training program and putting graduates directly into good-paying jobs across Central Florida. President Trump needs fighters who know how to get things done, and I want Joe standing with President Trump and me in Congress.”

Business Background

Strada is the founder of Strada Services, which the campaign describes as the nation’s largest privately held, family-owned provider of air conditioning, electrical, plumbing, and security services. His campaign has emphasized his experience as a self-made businessman and employer, arguing that his private-sector leadership prepares him to address workforce and economic challenges in Congress.

Campaign Message

According to the campaign, Strada is running on a conservative platform focused on supporting President Donald Trump’s America First agenda, strengthening workforce development, expanding job opportunities, and promoting pro-business policies.

The endorsements from Scalise, Jordan, and Fine are expected to bolster Strada’s campaign by highlighting support from influential Republican leaders with strong ties to the House Republican Conference and the conservative movement.

Looking Ahead

Florida’s 11th Congressional District is expected to draw significant attention during the 2026 election cycle. As the campaign progresses, endorsements from national and state Republican leaders are likely to remain an important part of candidates’ efforts to build support among primary voters.

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Byron Donalds Courts Latino Voters in Kissimmee as Florida Governor Campaign Expands

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KISSIMMEE, Fla. — U.S. Rep. Byron Donalds continued his campaign for governor by engaging Latino voters during a stop on his “Defending the Florida Dream” tour in Kissimmee, where he shared his vision for Florida’s future and discussed key issues impacting Hispanic communities.

Nación De Fe, Kissimmee, Florida. Photo by Hidekel Griffin / Florida National News

Florida National News was on hand to capture the event as Donalds met with supporters and community leaders while emphasizing economic opportunity, education, public safety, and preserving what he described as the “Florida Dream.”

Nación De Fe, Kissimmee, Florida. Photo by Hidekel Griffin / Florida National News

Latinos for Byron Coalition Launch

The Kissimmee event follows Donalds’ May 2026 launch of the Latinos for Byron Coalition, a statewide effort designed to strengthen support among Hispanic voters ahead of Florida’s Republican gubernatorial primary.

The Trump-endorsed congressman announced the coalition during a rally at Hialeah Park in Miami-Dade County, drawing approximately 300 supporters. Many attendees waved American and Cuban flags as Donalds outlined his vision for Florida and highlighted the growing influence of Latino voters in state politics.

Nación De Fe, Kissimmee, Florida. Photo by Hidekel Griffin / Florida National News

Republican Leaders Show Support

Joining Donalds at the Hialeah event were several Republican elected officials, including Hialeah Mayor Bryan Calvo, the city’s youngest mayor and a lifelong resident. State leaders in attendance included Sen. Bryan Avila and Reps. Juan Porras, David Borrero, and Alex Rizo.

Donalds said Hispanic communities play a vital role in Florida’s economy, culture, and future, and he pledged to continue policies focused on economic growth, educational excellence, and public safety.

Building a Statewide Coalition

The Defending the Florida Dream tour is expected to continue across Florida as Donalds works to build a broad coalition of supporters ahead of the 2026 election cycle. His campaign has placed a particular emphasis on engaging Hispanic voters, who represent one of the fastest-growing and most influential voting blocs in the state.

As the gubernatorial race develops, Latino outreach efforts are expected to play a significant role in shaping the Republican primary and the general election.

Florida National News will continue to follow the Defending the Florida Dream tour and provide updates from campaign stops across the state.

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