Skip to main content

Banks on Armed Services, Veterans Affairs panels

Congressman Jim Banks, R-IN, has been assigned to two committees and co-sponsored his first piece of legislation during his initial days as a member of the 115th Congress.

Banks will serve on the House Armed Services Committee and the House Veterans Affairs Committee.

“I am excited to be named to the Armed Services Committee,” Banks said. “This committee was my number one choice because I want to actively ensure our men and women in uniform receive the resources they need to protect our nation.”

Banks noted that he chaired the Committee on Veterans Affairs and The Military in the Indiana State Senate and hopes to use that experience in his new role on the House Veterans Affairs Committee.

“As a veteran, I recognize the importance of prioritizing and honoring our commitments to those who have borne the battle,” he said.

Banks co-sponsored  H.R. 184, a bill to permanently repeal the federal tax on medical devices.

“The medical device industry is extremely important to northeast Indiana, and I strongly support a permanent repeal of the medical device tax. This tax hurts consumers, restricts innovation and jeopardizes Hoosier jobs,” Banks said. “I am committed to permanently repealing this damaging tax.”

Rep. Erik Paulsen of Minnesota introduced H.R. 184 on Jan. 3. The bill has been referred to the House Ways and Means Committee where it awaits further consideration.

Banks, a Columbia City resident, served in the Indiana State Senate from 2010 until moving to the U.S. House of Representatives this year, taking a leave of absence in 2014 and 2015 to serve in Afghanistan with the United States Navy Reserve.