Last week, the U.S. House passed a bill, 357 to 59, in favor of federal recognition. Now, the bill goes to the Senate, where Republican Sen. Richard Burr and Sen. Thom Tillis have long supported Lumbee recognition. Federal recognition would allow the tribe to acquire hundreds of millions of dollars in federal aid and also support the potential formation of a tribal reservation. “This federal recognition will help the Lumbee people not only improve their economy, but enhance their health care systems and schools,” Burr said in April. It’s long past time the Lumbee Tribe received it.

Source: Los Angeles Times November 10, 2021 18:40 UTC