The Daily Punch Fly Out Day: Indiana Sen. Banks on the Iran war and the SAVE Act
Mar 19, 2026
Laura Barrón-López, MSNBC White House correspondent, brings rapid political analysis. Jim Banks, Indiana senator and Navy veteran on the Armed Services Committee, discusses national security and legislation. They debate the Iran campaign, troop posture and reopening the Strait of Hormuz. Other highlights include rebuilding defense industry, the SAVE Act priorities, FISA politics, and Indiana redistricting.
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Banks Says Strikes Have Degraded Iran But Work Remains
- Jim Banks frames the Iran campaign as preventing a nuclear-armed, state-sponsor-of-terrorism Iran and says U.S. strikes have hit 8,000 targets to degrade capabilities.
- He argues remaining missiles and military assets must be wiped out before leaving to prevent future threats and protect allies.
No Major Ground Invasion Emphasis On Naval Projection
- Banks rejects large-scale ground invasions while emphasizing naval power and force projection to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.
- He says some traditional European allies lagged but new Middle East partners like Saudi Arabia and the UAE are stepping up.
Banks Says Internet Access Could Enable Iranian Opposition
- Banks says restoring internet connectivity in Iran (e.g., Starlink) would empower protesters and could be the clearest pathway to regime change.
- He asks why the State Department and companies like Elon Musk haven't enabled communications to help Iranians organize.
