This week, freshman U.S. Rep. Darren Soto, D-Fla., was named to a leadership role for Democrats in the U.S. House.
On Wednesday, Soto announced he will co-chair the House Democratic Caucus’ New Economy Task Force, part of the “Jobs for America” effort from the caucus to focus on economic issues.
“The task forces will create opportunities for job growth, boost hardworking families, and give every worker the opportunity to achieve the American dream by developing legislation focused on investing in key industries, restoring worker benefits, removing barriers to help workers find stable and well-paying jobs, helping our veteran communities transition to the workforce, and identifying jobs of the future,” the caucus noted.
According to Soto’s office, “the New Economy Task Force will take a forward-leaning approach to job growth, looking at rapidly advancing technology, artificial intelligence, advanced manufacturing, and ensuring workers are trained for the jobs of tomorrow.”
U.S. Rep. Joe Crowley, D-NY, the chairman of the House Democratic Caucus, made the case for what the new task forces will focus on.
“Our economy isn’t working for far too many Americans. Middle-class families and hardworking men and women struggle to attain the opportunities they so greatly deserve, find financial security, and retire with confidence,” Crowley insisted. “Americans want to know what Democrats stand for and how we’ll fight for them. This effort will provide a specific roadmap for how families in Queens, the Bronx, and across America can obtain better wages, better jobs, and a better future.”
Soto will chair the New Economy Task Force along with fellow Democrats U.S. Reps. Susan DelBene of Washington, Debbie Dingell of Michigan and Raja Krishnamoorthi of Illinois.
“In developing legislation to strengthen our economy, we need to think long-term –beyond the next election cycle and beyond the present," Soto said when he was named to the post. “Our priority must be on preparing the American workforce for the jobs of the 21st century. That’s why I’m proud to join my colleagues in the New Economy Task Force. We’ll be working together on legislative solutions to create new jobs and boost our local economies, while keeping America a strong competitive market in a technologically advanced world.”
“By making the right investments today, the United States will have a workforce with expertise in new technologies, new ideas, and new jobs that will give American workers access to new opportunities,” Crowley said. “Congressman Soto understands just how important it is to take a proactive and aggressive approach to jobs and our economy, and I’m grateful for his leadership in this important endeavor.”
Soto has been playing a larger role in advancing the Democrats’ economic agenda in recent months, including penning a piece published in The Hill last month praising U.S. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer’s, D-NY, and U.S. House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi’s, D-Calif., “Better Deal” program.
“With Hurricane Trump wreaking havoc on our nation, this jobs agenda comes not a moment too soon. But as we expand upon our message, the time has come for us to be bold!” Soto wrote. “We must think beyond the present, conventional debate, beyond the next election cycle, and set our sights upon the future. We must present solutions not only to meet the greatest challenges of our times, but put forth an agenda that looks to decades beyond.”
Soto turned his attention to various sectors of the economy, including calling for “generating 100 percent of our energy on renewable and nuclear power;" making “100 percent of new cars and trucks be electric vehicles” and bringing “commuter rail to every major city and connect major regions through high speed rail."
The Central Florida Democrat also called for tripling the current funding of the National Institute of Health and National Science Foundation, provide “free college, technical or apprenticeship education to every high school graduate who volunteers for the military, peace corps or qualified non-profit for three years” and making sure “every grade student gets a tablet or computer to learn on, require K-12 computer science and coding, and produce millions of new computer programmers and engineers." Soto also called for sending astronauts “to Mars and beyond” and creating a “permanent human presence on the Moon.”
“These goals are audacious, will require a huge concerted effort and resources of epic proportions,” Soto wrote in conclusion. “They will also create millions of better jobs with better wages along with new innovative technologies. And I believe that Americans are ready to be inspired. We must only have the courage and vision to show the way.”
Only 39, Soto has been quickly moving up the Democratic ranks since winning a seat in the Florida House in 2007. After three terms in the House and four years in the Senate, Soto ran for an open congressional seat, besting major candidates Susannah Randolph and Dena Grayson in the primary and beating his Republican Wayne Liebnitzky by 15 percent in November.
Soto’s district, which includes all of Osceola County and parts of Orange and Polk Counties, is generally considered solid for the Democrats.
