OP-ED: Rep. Darren Soto: A government shutdown would threaten America’s progress
As Congress returned to Washington, D.C., after a productive August District Work Period, America’s economy continues to move forward at a steady pace. Unemployment is near record lows, inflation is down to nearly 3% — the lowest among G-7 countries — and job creation remains strong. Those of us in Florida know we must prioritize disaster relief funding for those affected by Hurricane Idalia, among other issues. The last thing we need is for extreme MAGA Republicans to force a government shutdown that would threaten America’s progress.
During our travels throughout the district last month, we witnessed the major progress we have made on new high-tech job projects at locations such as Lake Nona, NeoCity, Cape Canaveral, and the UCF simulation and training cluster. NeoCity has recently become a finalist for a National Science Foundation engine grant worth up to $160 million. This would be the largest grant of its kind in the state. Furthermore, more high-paying jobs are on the horizon with the $431 million Green Garden Village project in Osceola County which will manufacture solar panels, EV batteries, and charging stations. This project would also be the largest of its kind in the state thanks to the Inflation Reduction Act.
Thanks to the Infrastructure Law, dozens of significant new transportation projects are underway. These include the expansion of I-4 from Osceola Parkway to S.R. 27, an extension of Poinciana Parkway, eight new gates and a pedestrian bridge at Orlando International Airport, and the long-awaited Brightline and SunRail expansion. This month, we will see Brightline’s intercity rail service begin connecting Orlando to West Palm Beach, Fort Lauderdale, and Miami. Additionally, Lynx has recently introduced 16 new electric buses with the goal of eliminating diesel buses by 2025.
As we fuel growth in Central Florida and beyond, Congress also has a duty to millions of Americans to keep essential government services open and fund critical needs. After touring the damage caused by Hurricane Idalia, President Joe Biden has requested Congress to approve $16 billion so that FEMA can assist Floridians, Hawaiians, and other Americans facing disasters in their recovery efforts. We must also allocate funds for our military to protect the homeland, address shortfalls in WIC to ensure adequate nutrition for mothers and children, support Social Security to ensure the timely processing of claims, and sustain Medicare to safeguard seniors’ healthcare. Moreover, we must continue our commitment to democracy abroad by aiding Ukraine in defending itself against an unjustified and brutal invasion by Russia.
We have witnessed significant progress over the last few years since the dark days of the COVID-19 pandemic and the insurrection on January 6. We cannot allow a few Republican MAGA extremists to hijack our government to advance their radical agenda. Congress must vote to keep our government open and pass a responsible, bipartisan budget promptly to meet the needs of the American people.