SE North Carolina News

Today, U.S. Senators Ted Budd and Thom Tillis expressed approval following the passage of the Lumbee Fairness Act by the U.S. House of Representatives. This bipartisan legislation aims to provide the Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina with federal benefits similar to those received by other federally recognized tribes.

Senator Budd remarked, "I am pleased that the House has taken an important step to address decades of unfair treatment from the federal government towards the Lumbee people. I am thankful for Senator Tillis’ leadership on the Lumbee Fairness Act and President Trump’s critical support for Lumbee recognition. We will continue to do everything we can to get the Lumbee the full federal recognition they deserve."

Senator Tillis added, "I am dedicated to ensuring that Congress fulfills its six-decade-old promise to grant full federal recognition to the Lumbee people. We are now closer than ever to finally fulfilling that promise. There is clearly strong bipartisan support for this effort in Congress, and both President Biden and President-elect Trump firmly back recognition. I commend the House for passing the Lumbee Fairness Act, and I will continue to pursue all options to finally achieve full federal recognition for the Lumbee Tribe."

The Lumbee Tribe is noted as being one of the largest American-Indian tribes in Eastern United States history. The state of North Carolina recognized them in 1885, and since then, they have sought federal acknowledgment. In 1956, Congress passed a law recognizing them but included a clause that effectively nullified their status.

The tribe's cause has garnered backing from over 230 federally recognized tribes along with prominent figures such as President-elect Trump, Vice President-elect Vance, President Biden, Vice President Harris, members of North Carolina's government, and various Native American scholars.