Congressman Jim Banks (IN-03) today released the following statement after President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin met in Helsinki: “No one wants to return to the Cold War. I want President Trump’s diplomatic efforts to be successful, but I’ll take the word of a Hoosier statesman over Vladimir Putin any day. We must take seriously the warnings of Director Coats and the American intelligence community. Russia is not our friend. Vladimir Putin’s goal is to destabilize America a...
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Today, during a House Veterans’ Affairs Committee business meeting, Congressman Jim Banks (IN-03) was named chairman of the newly established Subcommittee on Technology Modernization. The subcommittee will provide oversight of the Department of Veterans Affairs’ (VA) electronic health records transition and other enterprise technology modernization projects. “I am honored Chairman Phil Roe has entrusted me with leading the subcommittee and I look forward to serving our country’s veterans in this...
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As Israel continues to face threats from Iran, Syria, Hezbollah, Hamas and terrorist groups throughout the Middle East, U.S.-Israeli relations are as important as ever. The Hoosier state plays an integral role in this relationship and can serve as an example for the rest of the country. Indiana is one of three states that lead the National Guard's partnership in homeland defense cooperation with the Israeli Defense Force’s Home Front Command. The Indiana National Guard specializes in joint urban...
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Congressman Jim Banks (IN-03) today released the following statement in support of United States Circuit Judge Amy Coney Barrett to serve as the next U.S. Supreme Court Justice nominee: “Amy Coney Barrett would bring both impeccable credentials and Hoosier common-sense to the bench. As the youngest jurist on President Trump’s short list, she has the unique opportunity to leave a legacy and reshape the direction of the court for generations to come. “Many Americans elected President Trump because...
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Congressman Jim Banks (IN-03) today released the following statement in support of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE): “Recent proposals from Democrats to abolish ICE are completely out of touch with the American people. Since its establishment, the dedicated men and women who serve ICE have protected our country from terrorists, drug cartels and sex traffickers, among others. Members of the Democratic party who want to get rid of ICE are really pursuing their ultimate goal of amnest...
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Congressman Jim Banks (IN-03) today called for his amendment to permanently repeal the 2015 Waters of the United States (WOTUS) rule, and reforms to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), to be included in the upcoming conference farm bill that will reconcile differences between the House and Senate versions of the legislation. “I am disappointed that the Senate failed to include a repeal of the burdensome WOTUS rule in its version of the farm bill,” said Banks. “Farmers, agricult...
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Congressman Jim Banks (IN-03), a member of the House Armed Services Committee, today released the following statement after voting for the Department of Defense Appropriations Act: “Today the House voted to boost funding for our military and reverse the drastic Obama-era cuts to our military. With countries like Russia and China surpassing us in several strategic capabilities, it is absolutely vital for Congress to appropriate the funds needed to rebuild our armed forces. “The most important res...
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Congressman Jim Banks (IN-03), a member of the House Armed Services Committee, today responded to recent comments made by Eric Xu, Deputy Chairman of Chinese tech company Huawei, that criticized Banks and Senator Marco Rubio (R-Fla.). “As the saying goes, ‘If you’re not catching flak you’re not over the target,’” Banks said. “Huawei has used academic surveillance to spy and collect intelligence on the United States, and now Huawei’s leaders are worried that their efforts to infiltrate America’s ...
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Today, Congressman Jim Banks (IN-03), a member of the House Armed Services Committee, was selected by Speaker Paul Ryan to serve on the House-Senate conference committee for the Fiscal Year 2019 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). “I am grateful for the opportunity to serve on the bicameral conference committee as we consider this historic piece of legislation that boosts funding for our armed forces and reverses the Obama-era cuts to our military,” said Banks. “As we hash out the differe...
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Today the House voted to advance the Agriculture and Nutrition Act of 2018, legislation that reauthorizes farm and food assistance programs as well as the amendment to permanently repeal the 2015 Waters of the United States (WOTUS) rule authored by Congressman Jim Banks (IN-03). “Hoosier farmers and agriculture producers are closer to receiving relief from this massive government power grab,” said Banks. “WOTUS gave unelected bureaucrats at the EPA the power to broadly interpret what is a naviga...
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