WASHINGTON, D.C. (WTWO/WAWV) — WTWO’S D.C. Reporter Kristen Eskow recently caught up with Senator Jim Banks (R-Ind.) to talk about the ongoing Iran conflict, Indiana Governor Braun’s gas tax holiday, birth tourism “invaders” and other topics impacting the Hoosier State.
Indiana Gas Tax Holiday:
As the conflict in the Middle East continues, so has the rise of gas prices at the pump. Even though gas prices have risen, Indiana continues to have the lowest gas prices in the entire country.
The low gas prices in the Hoosier State can be attributed to Governor Mike Braun’s “gas tax holiday,” which suspends both the gas excise tax and gas usage tax. On Wednesday, Gov. Braun once again extended the holiday for another 120 days.
Senator Banks said he supports Gov. Braun’s decision to suspend gas taxes as the Iran conflict continues, but would like to see gas taxes lowered in general, since Indiana has one of the highest gas taxes in the country.
The Indiana Senator urged members of the Indiana General Assembly to review this tax during the January legislative session and permanently bring down gas prices.
“Why not reduce the gas taxes,” said Banks “My message to my friends in the Indiana legislature, is to take a look at providing long term gas tax relief and hopefully that will happen next session.”
The Iran conflict:
Even though the conflict has driven up prices, Senator Banks said he supports the President as ceasefire negotiations with Iran continue.
“The president is giving them one last shot. Reopen the strait and agree to never have a nuclear weapon. And then we can back off. But until then, President Trump isn’t going to let up on Iran,” said Banks.
Senator Banks said he wants to see a ceasefire deal be struck, but not at the expense of Iran being able to have nuclear weapons.
“Ultimately making sure Iran never has a nuclear weapon has always been the objective because we know what they will do if they have one. They will point it at us. They will point it at Israel. They will point it at our allies,” said Banks. “They are a dangerous, evil regime and we have to hold them accountable.”
Banks added that the ceasefire conversations have proven difficult because the United States is negotiating with a “regime that at the same time is calling for death to America, for President Trump’s assassination, when President Trump is trying to negotiate with them to make a deal.”
Indiana General Assembly:
Following Indiana Senate President Pro Tem Rodric Bray’s (R-Martinsville) decision not to seek re-election for Senate Pro Tempore in November, Senator Banks said “its good for Indiana.”
Sen. Bray was one of several Hoosier senators to oppose President Trump’s campaign for redistricting in Indiana. Banks said he thinks senators need to align more closely with the Trump administration because “Indiana is a very Republican state, and very pro-Trump state.”
“It’s good for Indiana to have a more conservative state legislature to work with our conservative governor, Mike Braun, to pass laws that provide tax relief for Hoosiers,” said Banks. “Oftentimes we have seen the state senate hold up progress on important conservative bills at the state house.”
Citizenship Act of 2026:
In July, Senator Banks introduced a bill to align laws with President Trump’s Day 1 executive order that reshapes the definition of birthright citizenship in the U.S.
The Citizenship Act of 2026 requires that any person who enters the U.S. “without authorization or for the purpose of engaging in birth tourism is considered an invader.”
“Invaders, that’s a specific word from the 14th Amendment, babies of invaders are not eligible for birthright citizenship, said Banks during the interview. “And if Congress declares the invasion of illegals into our country, the tens of millions of illegals, then those babies should not be granted birthright citizenship.”