Burr, Hagan Introduce Lumbee Recognition Bill In U.S. Senate

Press Release

Committed to achieving federal recognition for the Lumbee Tribe, U.S. Senators Richard Burr (R-NC) and Kay R. Hagan (D-NC) today introduced legislation that would federally recognize the Tribe.

"This bill will give the Lumbee Tribe federal recognition, which is long overdue," said Hagan. "I am pushing for this bill to be promptly considered in the Senate so that thousands of Lumbees will finally get the credit they deserve."

Legislative language within the 1956 Lumbee Act prevents the Lumbees from applying for federal acknowledgement through the Bureau of Indian Affairs. The exclusion limits access to services for more than 40,000 members of the Lumbee Tribe, who are not seeking gaming privileges.

The bill, which was introduced in the House by Rep. Mike McIntyre, passed that chamber in June with 240 votes. The Senate bill will be referred to the Indian Affairs Committee.

At a House hearing on the bill earlier this year, George Skibine, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Policy and Economic Development for Indian Affairs, testified that "there are rare circumstances when Congress should intervene and recognize a tribal group, and the case of the Lumbee Indians is one such rare case."

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