Kissimmee congressman Darren Soto pushes bill to re-classify manatees as ‘endangered’ following record deaths

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 as an “endangered” species.

The proposal by U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan, R-Fla., and U.S. Rep. Darren Soto, D-Fla., would upgrade the status of manatees under the Endangered Species Act from “threatened,” offering more protections.

“Manatees are beloved, iconic mammals in Florida,” Buchanan said in a prepared statement.…