In April 2007, he won the crowded Democratic primary in a special election to replace John Quinones, who had resigned to run for the Osceola County Commission.
[3][4][citation needed] During his three terms in the Florida House, Soto supported laws to curb illegal street racing, passed the “John C Curry” Firefighter Death Benefit Act to protect families of fallen firefighters who died in training exercises, and the Bus Driver Notification Act to help school bus safety.
[8] In 2013, Soto voted for legislation to expedite driver's license access for DREAMers but it was ultimately vetoed by Governor Rick Scott,[9] setting off statewide protests.
[11] In 2014, Soto led the Democratic House and Senate Caucuses in drafting a Congressional map during the 2014 Special Session on Redistricting.
[16] He secured $10 million in Florida's budget to promote economic growth in Osceola County for a new facility to manufacture high-tech sensors, but Governor Scott vetoed the project.
In 2016, Soto supported Chloe's Law to construct barriers around water bodies adjacent to state roads,[22] the Deaf Floridian's ID bill,[23] and the Juvenile Clean Slate bill, which automatically seals misdemeanor records for juveniles who reach 21 years of age and do not reoffend as adults.
[24] Soto won the Democratic nomination to succeed Representative Alan Grayson, who stepped down to run in the primary for U.S. Senate in Florida's 9th congressional district.
[51] In his first few weeks, Speaker Nancy Pelosi named him one of three freshmen members to the Democratic Steering and Policy Committee.
[54] Soto introduced a bill to rename a Kissimmee Post Office (HR 4042) at 1415 West Oak St after the Borinqueneers.
[59] On June 24, 2019, Soto passed his first law of the 116th Congress, the Strengthening Mosquito Abatement for Safety and Health (SMASH) Act, which aims to combat future Zika outbreaks in Florida, Puerto Rico and other areas.
[72] He has helped lead Florida’s delegation in securing additional supplies of remdesivir from his position on the Energy and Commerce Committee.
Upon its passage, Soto said, "Today, we remind the world that hate will never defeat love, grief can turn into strength and that a place of loss can become a sanctuary of healing.
[88] In June 2018, he traveled with several Democratic members of Congress to Homestead, Florida, to tour a detention facility, where he argued against Trump's zero tolerance policy and the separation of children and families.
[89] He was an advocate in Congress for Alejandra Juarez, the wife of an Iraq combat veteran and mother of two American daughters, who was deported to Mexico due to Trump's policy.
"[90] Soto is considered a champion of cryptocurrency in Congress, sponsoring a bipartisan bill to provide clarity to the regulatory classification of digital assets.
[92] Soto received a perfect score of 100 for his environmental issues voting record from the National League of Conservation Voters in 2017.
[94] Soto helped lead opposition to Trump administration proposals to permit oil drilling off Florida's Gulf and Atlantic coasts during House Committee on Natural Resources meetings.
[99] Soto received an F rating from the NRA Political Victory Fund during his first term in Congress and supported numerous gun law reforms.
In the Florida Senate, he became a reliable vote for gun control, which ultimately led to earning a D rating from the NRA for his service there from 2013 to 2016.
[102] After the 2016 Orlando nightclub shooting, Soto called for a special session to prevent those on the FBI's No Fly List from purchasing firearms.
[107] He also co-signed a bipartisan letter requesting FEMA Designation of Individual Assistance for the citizens of Orange, Osceola, Polk, Lake and Seminole Counties after Hurricane Irma.