Banks Sworn In Via Skype, Then Temporarily Steps Down

INDIANAPOLIS – Sen. Jim Banks raised his right hand and swore to uphold the Indiana Constitution – just as his legislative colleagues did Tuesday as they officially took office and launched their 2015 session.

But Banks, R-Columbia City, wasn’t standing at his desk in the Indiana Senate chamber. He was standing at a military base in Afghanistan, where he is on active duty with the U.S. Navy, taking the oath over the Skype web service.

“Great to see you my friend,” Senate President Pro Tem David Long, R-Fort Wayne, said as Banks appeared on a big screen in the Senate with other servicemen at his side. Long called the ceremony a “historic” moment.

“We wanted to let you know on behalf of all of us how proud we are of you and of your colleagues behind you, how much we appreciate your service and how much all of us are praying for your safe return,” Long said. “We’ll be placing a small flag – the U.S. flag and an Indiana flag – and we also have a yellow ribbon to remind us of your service and that you’ll be home soon.”

Indiana Supreme Court Justice Robert Rucker stood in the Senate to deliver the oath to Banks, whom he could see on a laptop in front of him and on the screen above. There was a two or three second delay between the words Rucker read and then Banks repeated.

After the ceremony ended, Banks – who is scheduled to be on duty through May 2015 – submitted a formal request for a leave of absence to Long.

“During my deployment, the people of Senate District 17 deserve to have a voice in the Senate, which is why I have chosen to take a leave of absence, so someone else can serve during the 2015 session,” Banks said in a statement later.

That’s expected to be his wife, Amanda Banks, although the official decision will be made by the district’s Republican precinct leaders. Jim Banks will resume the seat once he returns to Indiana.

Senate officials said this is the first time a state legislator has taken advantage of a law that allows for an extended leave of absence due to military service and the first time an Indiana lawmaker has been sworn in via Skype. Long said the legislative staff spoke with Supreme Court officials about the legality of the situation before moving forward with the ceremony.