DC To-Do List | VonDras for Congress – Action Steps in Washington, D.C.

Joan's DC "To-do List"

We are faced with a myriad of challenges coming into 2026.

Join me at our Policy Matters Town Talks and other events to explore ideas and solutions.

“The Happiness of the People is the sole End of Government,
So the Consent of the People is the only Foundation of it.”
— John Adams, Thoughts on Government (1776)

Build Economic Opportunity for All

I will focus on affordability and economic opportunity for every family. I will promote American manufacturing, protect union jobs, and work to position the American workforce to lead the future frontier of industry and technology. This work is essential for safeguarding the US dollar's status as the world’s reserve currency and to protect and create high-paying jobs right here in our District.

Take back control over inflationary tariffs
Take back control of war powers and funding
Implement a Tax Code that is fair for working people and families
Update regulations that hinder housing development
Incentivize development of affordable housing
Assist our farmers to adapt to an ever-evolving climate
Continue funding the bi-partisan Infrastructure Bill to update our aging bridges and roads
Provide clean energy subsidies and research grants for safe, sustainable energy production
Allow everyone who CAN participate TO participate in our economy
Support K-14 public education and affordable advanced degrees
Recognize that immigration is essential to our economy. We must develop a plan to lawfully and fairly expedite the approval process while protecting the integrity of our border in a humane way.
Restore our domestic manufacturing capability
Reduce the raiding of affordable housing stock by corporations
Incentivize redevelopment of affordable housing stock and job creation in under-served communities
Prepare for job transitions as Artificial Intelligence integrates more into our lives and work places, ensuring long-term job prospects and minimal environmental impact
Continue to enhance the St. Louis Region as a center for our country's research, production, and transportation of nation’s food supply

Return Schools to Educational Excellence

To attract families and businesses, we must reverse Missouri's current standing of 31st out of 50. I will achieve this by championing the full funding of our education system to empower teachers and parents, while leveraging targeted Federal resources of the Department of Education to ensure every student is protected and has access to a free world-class education, pre-K through high school.

Provide funding for Universal Pre-K - early intervention is a priority
Restore the Education Department and the protections it provided
Work collaboratively with State officials to equalize and protect public education funding
Restore and strengthen our universities and their research funding
Advocate for affordable education at every level, including trade schools
Restore, strengthen rights and funding for diverse and disabled populations protected under the Department of Education

Access to Affordable Quality Healthcare

I will advocate for policies to expand access to quality healthcare, especially working to lower costs, and address staff shortages, through hiring incentives, to restore safe patient ratios. All communities shall have equal accessibility and quality services through enhanced health and mental wellness tools. Addressing the health and wellness of women and families is essential. Restore healthcare subsidies until a comprehensive bi-partisan plan is in place

Develop a comprehensive plan that provides equal access to care and expands early detection
Codify Roe v Wade
Invest in incentives and funding to reestablish rural health care and ease of access to care
Encourage and support innovation in medical and fundamental scientific research for the common good
Eliminate medical debt that leads to bankruptcies as we transition to a comprehensive plan
Provide funding and coverage for disabled populations for care and accessibility

Ensure a Safe & Fair Food Supply for Everyone

I will seek a seat on the House Agricultural Committee using this position to strengthen our local producers and protect the integrity of our national food and water supply. Our region is a center for international agriculture and agribusiness and 43% of the market flows through it. Advocating policy that will help us adapt to an evolving climate will be the best path forward for our economy.

Develop incentives and protections for our farmland and farmers
Restore FDA inspection of food distribution
Incentivize diversity in farming to protect the integrity of our land, soil and water resources
Work to eliminate food deserts in rural and city areas
Protect our farm land and water supplies from foreign purchase and venture capitalists

Strengthen Our Representative Democracy

The detrimental effects of Citizens United continue to erode our representative democracy. Time and again, voter will - both federally and statewide - has been ignored or undermined. In recent years, this has been evident as citizen-approved amendments have been overturned and the citizen initiative process, designed to protect our democratic functions, has been besieged by massive, external funding. Even initiatives like "Respect MO Voters" and "People Not Politicians" face legal challenges despite overwhelming citizen support.

I am committed to addressing this at the federal level, as well as, championing the principle of equality for all citizens. To that end, I will advocate for ratifying the Equal Rights Amendment and codifying Roe as the law of the land.

Rebuild the essential Institutions on which our Constitutional Democracy is based
Restore Congress’ Check on the Executive and Judicial Branch
Expand the Supreme Court and have strict enforcement of ethics rules to eliminate outside monetary gifts and influence
Proper release and prosecution of crimes in the Epstein Files
Support Legislation for Federally funded elections
Codify the Voting Rights Act - The SAFE Act seeks to destroy these rights and suppress votes
Get big money out of politics - starting with Citizens United
End pay for pardon in the Executive Branch
Examine the abuse of Executive Orders
Enforce investigations into breaches of ethics and rules
Restore and enforce the legal right to due process (4th & 14th Amendment)
Check the abuse of the Department of Home Land Security and its extraordinary funding
Enforce and investigate abuses of our International and Domestic Emoluments clause
Remove Regulatory Capture that protects companies over communities
Examine application of age caps
Strengthen the United States Postal Service and protect mail in voting
Pass the Freedom to Vote Act
Stop political retribution in our Justice Department
Limit corporate and lobbyist influence in Congress and return the influence of the people
Join the Problem Solver’s Caucus
Respect and protect each individual’s right to love whomever they want to love.

Be Accessible as Your Representative

I will hold regular town halls and keep open lines of communication because your stories and the needs of our District will underpin decisions in Washington. I will work for you, not for special interests.

Hold regular “Town Halls - Town Talks Live: Policy Matters presenting legislation to reduce misinformation and gathering input from and among constituents
Continue with the small group talks throughout the district to provide access for all constituents regardless of socio-economic, racial, ethnic, religious or minority group who may feel unheard in D.C. today
Establish Citizen Communication Groups to increase public participation in decision making

Break Through Partisan Gridlock

I believe in the Problem Solvers Caucus's ethos of prioritizing common sense and national needs over division. This bipartisan spirit has delivered critical community investments for roads, clean water, and high-speed internet. I will seek membership to advance common-sense solutions and ensure our District receives its fair share of funding and results.

Constituent Additions

Digital Bill of Rights
Reexamine the Electoral College

We want to hear your voice

What matters to you?

Effective policy starts with a conversation, not a talking point. My career in education taught me that the best answers are found through curiosity and dialogue. I am committed to being a representative who values your perspective as an essential input for solving our district's toughest challenges. Your insights are the catalyst for the common-sense advocacy I will bring to Washington.