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 increasing 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 creating high-paying jobs right here in our District.

Take back control over inflationary tariffs
Restore a progressive tax code that protects working & middle class families and ensures the top 1% contributes proportionally
Incentivize the development of mixed-income communities
Continue funding the bipartisan Infrastructure Bill to update our aging bridges and roads
Reduce the raiding of affordable housing stock by corporations
Provide clean energy subsidies and research grants for safe, sustainable energy production
Restore our domestic manufacturing capability
Prepare for job transitions as Artificial Intelligence integrates more into our lives and workplaces, ensuring long-term job prospects
Continue to enhance the St. Louis Region as a center for our country's research, production, and transportation of the nation’s food supply
Take back Section 8 housing and make it beautiful
Incentivize the development of transitional housing for unhoused people

Return Schools to Educational Excellence

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

Provide funding for Universal Pre-K
Restore the Education Department and the protections it provided
Equalize public education funding and support the Right to Education Bill
Restore and strengthen our universities and their research funding
Advocate for affordable education at every level, including trade schools
Restore and strengthen rights and funding for diverse and disabled populations protected under the Department of Education
Establish a livable federal minimum wage for paraprofessionals
Invest in free before- and after-school tutoring
Incentivise districts to invest in community schools and in their community

Increase Access to Affordable,
Quality Healthcare

I will vote to restore healthcare subsidies until a comprehensive bipartisan plan is in place. I will advocate for policies to expand access to quality healthcare, particularly by lowering costs, and address staff shortages through hiring incentives to restore safe patient-staff ratios. I will vote to ensure all communities have equal access to quality healthcare services, including mental healthcare, and to protect the wellness of women and families.

Develop a comprehensive bipartisan plan to move the country toward Medicare for All
Restore healthcare subsidies, like those from the Affordable Care Act, until a more universal system can be implemented
Support relief programs for people with bankruptcy-inducing medical debts as we transition to a comprehensive plan
Codify Roe v. Wade and support legislation that protects patient-provider privacy
Protect and ensure access to contraception and IVF
Support a speedy transition to universal pregnancy and birth care
Support legislation like the MO Food as Medicine Act, which would make healthy food and meals more accessible
Expand coverage and accessibility of care for people with disabilities, including aid programs for parents of disabled children
Restore SAMHSA programs and funding to support further research and innovation, and expand mental health resources
Incentivize healthcare workers to work in rural communities and the development of rural healthcare institutions

Create a Safe and Equitable Food Supply

A healthy nation begins with a safe and clean food supply. I will seek a seat on the House Agricultural Committee and use 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. I also believe that policies that help us adapt to an evolving climate are the best path forward for our economy.

Provide aid, incentives, and learning resources to farmers that will help them adapt to climate change and support a growing national food demand
Incentivize diverse farming and regenerative agriculture to protect the health and strength of our land, soil, and water resources
Protect our farm land and water supplies from foreign purchase and venture capitalists
Continue to enhance the St. Louis Region as a center for our country's research, production, and transportation of the nation’s food supply
Eliminate rural and urban food deserts by incentivizing companies to support local farms
Support legislation like the MO Food as Medicine Act, which will directly benefit small, local farmers
Expand SNAP benefits and ensure they are always fully funded
Restore the FDA to full capacity to protect consumers
Make healthy eating more accessible by subsidizing produce production instead of commodity crops, thereby lowering consumer prices
Incentivize the development of food waste management programs to return useful resources back to farmers

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.