WASHINGTON, D.C. -Today, Congressmen David Rouzer (R-NC-07) and Mark Harris (R-NC-08) led members of the North Carolina delegation in re-introducing legislation, The Lumbee Fairness Act, to provide full recognition and associated federal services to the Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina. H.R. 1101, the Lumbee Fairness Act previously passed the House in December but never received a vote in the Senate under leadership of former Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY).
“The federal government has denied generations of Lumbee Tribe members the full recognition and tribal sovereignty granted to other federally-recognized tribes,” said Congressman Rouzer.“The Lumbee Fairness Act corrects the wrongs written in statute during the Indian Termination era and restores the rightful benefits and services the Lumbee Tribe has long been refused. This legislation received broad bipartisan support during this past Congress, a symbol of the understanding and support for the sovereignty of the Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina.”
“Just last month, the House of Representatives passed the Lumbee Fairness Act and I am pleased to learn Congressmen David Rouzer and Mark Harris are reintroducing the bill once again,” said Lumbee Tribal Chairman John Lowery. “We have so much momentum for our bill, and I look forward to working with them to get this passed in the House during the 119th Congress.”
“For far too long, the Lumbee Tribe has been wrongfully denied federal recognition – but now more than ever we are closer to that goal. Last Congress, members across the aisle overwhelmingly supported giving full federal recognition and rights to the Lumbee Tribe – and we can't lose that momentum now. With over 55,000 individuals, the Lumbee people are a core part of my district and North Carolina – I am honored to be their advocate in Washington. As one of my first acts in Congress, I promise to use every tool at my disposal to see the Lumbee Fairness Act signed into law. I am thankful for Representative Rouzer being a long-time champion for the Lumbee Tribe – let’s get this legislation over the finish line,” saidCongressmanHarris.
Congressmen Rouzer and Harris are joined by Richard Hudson (R-NC-09), Valerie Foushee (D-NC-04), Greg Murphy (R-NC-03), Deborah Ross (D-NC-02), Don Davis (D-NC-01), Addison McDowell (R-NC-06), and Tim Moore (R-NC-14). Senators Thom Tillis (R-NC) and Ted Budd (R-NC) introduced companion legislation in the Senate.
Background:
The Lumbee Tribe consists of more than 55,000 members, making it the largest American-Indian tribe east of the Mississippi River and the ninth largest tribe in the nation. Members of the Lumbee Tribe reside primarily in Robeson, Hoke, Cumberland, and Scotland Counties.
In 1885, the State of North Carolina formally recognized the Lumbee Tribe. In 1956, Congress recognized the Lumbee as an Indian Tribe when they enacted the Lumbee Act, but the bill unfairly denied the Lumbee any federal services and benefits associated with such recognition. Legislation restoring the federal relationship has been introduced in Congress more than 30 times and has passed the House of Representatives at least 12 times. In December 2024, the legislation passed the House with overwhelming bipartisan support.
