WASHINGTON D.C. -- As the 119th Congress kicks off on Friday, Indiana now has a new U.S. Senator. U.S. Senator Jim Banks, R-Ind. was officially sworn in on Friday as Indiana's next U.S. Senator. This comes after former U.S. Senator Mike Braun was elected as Indiana's next governor in November. Banks was elected to Indiana’s open seat in the U.S. Senate in November and will join U.S. Senator Todd Young, R-Ind. in the U.S. Senate. Senator-elect Banks named to 4 committees in 119th Congress “I want to thank the good people of Indiana for electing me to serve in this important role," Banks said in a statement provided to FOX59/CBS4. "I will never take it lightly. It is a great honor to represent our state in the United States Senate and I will always put Indiana and America first.  “Over the last eight years I have fought to put America first by combating the threat of communist China, securing the border, and strengthening our national defense," Banks continued. "My priorities will remain the same in the Senate. I’m ready to hit the ground running and look forward to helping President Trump confirm his cabinet nominees and get his agenda through Congress.”   Indiana senator-elect Banks outlines top priorities for 119th Congress According to previous reports, Banks previously announced his appointment to four U.S. Senate committees for the 119th Congress, including: Senate Committee on Armed Services Senate Committee on Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs Banks also outlined his priorities for the session, including the following: Fighting for working families Strengthening American industry Refocusing the Pentagon on the Warfighter Restoring traditional values and stopping “wokeness” Putting an end to the border crisis Defending American workers from China Unleashing U.S. building power Dismantling needless bureaucracy