WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, the United States House of Representatives passed H.R. 1101, the Lumbee Fairness Act, legislation introduced by Congressman David Rouzer (NC-07). The bill, which passed by a vote of 311 to 96, gives the Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina full federal recognition and associated federal protections.
"The Lumbee people are an integral part of our Southeastern North Carolina community. They are our neighbors and our friends. We attend church together. Our children go to school together. But for generations, the Lumbee Tribe has been denied full federal recognition and tribal sovereignty. Today, I am proud the House of Representatives came together to pass my bill, the Lumbee Fairness Act, and help ensure the Lumbee people have the same rights and benefits as the other federally-recognized tribes across the country,” said Congressman Rouzer.
"I want to thank Congressman Rouzer and all the co-sponsors of the Lumbee Fairness Act for ensuring its passage today in the United States House. Their hard work is to be applauded as they pushed this across the finish line before the House adjourns for Christmas break. This is a great step towards Congress rectifying the 1956 Lumbee Act and ensuring that the remains of the Indian Termination Era policy continues to be dismantled. To our allies in Congress and Indian Country, continue to push forward and let us see this bill adopted by the Senate and finally finish what our ancestors began almost 140 yrs ago," said Lumbee Tribal Chairman John Lowery.
