Jim Banks

2016

On May 12, 2015, Banks announced his intention to run for Indiana's 3rd congressional district.[15] The incumbent, Congressman Marlin Stutzman announced he would not run for reelection and would instead campaign for the Republican nomination to succeed retiring Indiana Senator Dan Coats.[16] Banks' congressional campaign was endorsed by the Club for Growth.[17]

Banks won the primary election, separating himself from five other like-minded conservative opponents for the open seat, with 34 percent of the vote. Spending in the campaign exceeded $2 million as Banks raised $850,000 prior to the primary election and the candidate who finished in second place, businessman Kip Tom, raised $950,000 including $150,000 he loaded from his personal funds.[18]

2018

Banks ran for reelection; he was unopposed in the Republican primary and faced off against businesswoman and Democratic nominee Courtney Tritch in the 2018 general election.[19] Banks won reelection with 64.7% of the vote.

2020

Banks ran for a third term and defeated physician Chris Magiera[20] in the Republican primary.[21] He then faced off against teacher and Democratic nominee Chip Coldiron in the 2020 general election.[22] Banks won reelection with 67.8% of the vote.[23]

Banks with Vice President Mike Pence in 2018

Banks was sworn in on January 3, 2017. He is a member of the Republican Study Committee.

In December 2017, Banks joined three other Republican representatives, Ron DeSantis, Scott Perry, and Robert Pittenger, in co-signing a letter to Secretary of State Rex Tillerson requesting Tillerson to release a classified counterterrorism agreement with Qatar.[24]

In January 2020, Banks faced backlash after saying that remarks by Representative Ilhan Omar about her own experiences with PTSD were "offensive to our nation’s veterans." As a child, Omar fled civil war in Somalia and spent four years in a Kenyan refugee camp.[25]

In December 2020, Banks was one of 126 Republican members of the House of Representatives who signed an amicus brief in support of Texas v. Pennsylvania, a lawsuit filed at the United States Supreme Court contesting the results of the 2020 presidential election, in which Joe Biden prevailed[26] over incumbent Donald Trump. The Supreme Court declined to hear the case on the basis that Texas lacked standing under Article III of the Constitution to challenge the results of the election held by another state.[27][28][29]

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi issued a statement that called signing the amicus brief an act of "election subversion." Additionally, Pelosi reprimanded Banks and the other House members who supported the lawsuit: "The 126 Republican Members that signed onto this lawsuit brought dishonor to the House. Instead of upholding their oath to support and defend the Constitution, they chose to subvert the Constitution and undermine public trust in our sacred democratic institutions."[30][31] New Jersey Representative Bill Pascrell, citing section three of the 14th Amendment, called for Pelosi to not seat Banks and the other Republicans who signed the brief supporting the suit. Pascrell argued that "the text of the 14th Amendment expressly forbids Members of Congress from engaging in rebellion against the United States. Trying to overturn a democratic election and install a dictator seems like a pretty clear example of that."[32]

• Committee on Armed Services
  • Subcommittee on Intelligence, Emerging Threats and Capabilities
  • Subcommittee on Tactical Air and Land Forces
• Committee on Education and Labor
  • Subcommittee on Health, Employment, Labor, and Pensions
  • Subcommittee on Higher Education and Workforce Investment
• Committee on Veterans' Affairs
  • Subcommittee on Technology Modernization (Ranking Member)
  • Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity

• Congressional Western Caucus[33]
• Congressional Pakistan Caucus[34]
• Freedom Caucus [35]

Banks supports repealing and replacing the Affordable Care Act ("Obamacare").[36] Banks voted in favor of the American Health Care Act of 2017 on May 4, 2017.[37] He opposes single-payer healthcare, which he believes if implemented would cost taxpayers $32 trillion.[38]

In December 2017, Banks voted in favor of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017.[39] Upon the passing of the bill, Banks said it was "a good day for the future of the American dream." Banks believes the new tax bill "will provide middle-class tax relief while promoting investment, job creation and sustained economic growth. It will lead to bigger paychecks for workers across our country and restore America's global competitiveness."[40]

Banks supports allowing internet companies to release customer information with the federal government.[36]

Banks supports ending federal funding of abortions, including defunding Planned Parenthood.[36]

Banks calls banning transgender people from serving in the military as an "emotional issue." He opposes the military paying for sex reassignment surgery saying that "I don't think taxpayers should be on the hook for that."[38]

Banks with his wife and children being sworn in by Speaker Nancy Pelosi for the 116th Congress