Summary
The U.S. Senate has passed the National Defense Authorization Act, which includes a provision to grant federal recognition to the Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina. This recognition would allow the tribe to access federal resources and services. President Donald Trump had supported the tribe's recognition during his campaign.
Key Facts
- The Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina is close to becoming a federally recognized tribal nation.
- President Trump endorsed the tribe's efforts last year during his campaign.
- Federal recognition will give the Lumbee Tribe access to federal resources, health services, and land trust opportunities.
- The tribe's recognition efforts have been ongoing for over 30 years in Congress.
- Currently, there are 574 federally recognized tribal nations in the United States.
- If recognized, the Lumbee Tribe would become one of the largest tribal nations, with about 60,000 members.
- The Congressional Budget Office estimates that recognition will require hundreds of millions of dollars in federal resources initially.
- Some tribal leaders and historians oppose the recognition, questioning the tribe's historical and genealogical claims.
