By U.S. Sen. Jim Banks
Guest Columnist
Banks
As 2025 comes to a close, I want to reflect on what we’ve accomplished together this year and thank you for the privilege of representing Indiana in the United States Senate.
This has been an incredible year for our country. President Trump returned to office with a clear mandate and an ambitious agenda to restore prosperity, security, and common sense. He has been moving quickly to carry out his America First agenda that voters demanded. In just his first year, President Trump has secured the southern border, fought back against narco-terrorists, delivered the largest tax cut in American history, and so much more. I have been proud to stand by his side, and we are just getting started.
I feel the urgency of President Trump’s agenda every day in the Senate. This year, I introduced 72 pieces of legislation – more than any other freshman senator. Of those, 25 were bipartisan bills, also the most among new members. I am incredibly proud of that record. In a divided Washington, building bipartisan support matters, because results matter. That’s exactly what I intend to keep doing, with the same focus and urgency, in the year ahead.
Four of the bills I authored became law this year. Earlier this summer, I joined President Trump in the White House as he signed into law my Maintaining American Superiority by Improving Export Control Transparency Act. This bill protects American technology from Communist China. The Over-the-Counter Monograph Drug User Fee Amendments Act was also signed into law, which saves taxpayer dollars and facilitates the FDA converting prescription drugs to over-the-counter when safe and appropriate, substantially reducing their costs. The law also encourages the FDA to approve new sunscreens, which has not happened in decades.
I’m also proud that the Buying Faster than the Enemy Act, which speeds up military acquisitions, and the REFOCUS DoDEA Act, which requires the Department of War to limit cellphone use in classrooms for military children, were included in the final version of the National Defense Authorization Act. As a veteran myself, I am honored to support our troops and their families. I will never stop fighting for them.
But drafting legislation is only part of my job. This year, my team and I directly assisted more than 1,100 Hoosiers with federal casework, returned over $32 million to constituents, and responded to nearly 60,000 constituent communications. It has been the honor of a lifetime to serve and support the great people of Indiana.
As we head into the new year, my commitment is simple. I will keep showing up, keeping pushing for results, and keep fighting for Indiana with the same determination that brought me to the Senate in the first place.
I’m optimistic about what we can accomplish. There’s much more work to do – there always is – but I’m ready for it.
Thank you for the honor of serving you this year. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.
God bless you, and God bless the United States of America.
Jim Banks represents Indiana as one of its members in the United States Senate.