Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina Receives Full Federal Recognition

On December 17th, the United States Senate passed Congressman Rouzer’s (R-NC-07) legislation, H.R. 474, the Lumbee Fairness Act.  This legislation grants full federal recognition to the Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina, marking a historic milestone in the Tribe’s generations-long pursuit of recognition.  The Lumbee Fairness Act was included in S.1071, the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), and now heads to the President’s desk for signature.

“Today is truly a great and monumental day for the Lumbee Tribe — the effects of which will transcend generations for the Lumbee people and all of North Carolina,” said Congressman Rouzer (R-NC-07), who offered the amendment to the NDAA recognizing the Lumbee with all the rights and benefits associated with it.  “Passage of the Lumbee Fairness Act affords the Lumbee People the full benefits and services long afforded to other federally recognized tribes.  I am proud to have worked with my colleagues to make this a reality.  This achievement would not have been possible without the steadfast leadership of Chairman John Lowery and the strong support of President Trump.  The Lumbee voice has been heard, and their commitment and perseverance has brought us to this historic moment.  I also want to commend and thank our current Senators Thom Tillis and Ted Budd as well as former Senators Elizabeth Dole and Richard Burr.  Each has been a fierce advocate for the Lumbee people over many years.  Without this historic commitment by all, today’s victory would have never been achieved.”

“Today marks a historic victory for the Lumbee people,” said Lumbee Tribal Chairman John Lowery.  “After generations of perseverance, our voices were finally heard.  I am proud of the work that made this possible and am grateful to Congressman Rouzer for his leadership in securing federal recognition for Lumbee in this year’s National Defense Authorization Act.  Today, we rejoice for at long last, we have achieved our full federal recognition.”

With Senate passage, the Lumbee Tribe will become eligible for federal programs such as the Indian Health Service, further tribal housing assistance, and more robust education funding.  Recognition also opens the door to new economic opportunities and resources for southeastern North Carolina.

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Background:

The Lumbee Tribe consists of nearly 60,000 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.  Since then, the Lumbee have continued to fight for full and complete federal recognition.

During the 118th Congress, Congressman David Rouzer (R-NC-07) introduced the Lumbee Fairness Act, with Senator Thom Tillis (R-NC) introducing the companion legislation in the Senate.  Mr. Rouzer successfully secured a vote on the House Floor and passage of the bill on December 17, 2024.  However, despite clearing the House, the Senate did not take it up for consideration.

President Trump has also spoken in support of giving the Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina full federal recognition.  On January 23, 2025, just days after he was sworn into office, he signed an Executive Order directing the Department of the Interior to develop a plan for granting the Lumbee Tribe full federal recognition.  You can watch his remarks here.

On January 16, 2025, Congressman David Rouzer (R-NC-07) reintroduced H.R. 474, the Lumbee Fairness Act.  The legislation, offered as an amendment by Congressman David Rouzer (R-NC-07) to the House passed NDAA, was later included in S.1071, the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year (FY) 2026, which passed the U.S. House of Representatives on December 11, 2025.  On December 17, 2025, the Senate passed the FY26 NDAA, sending the Lumbee Fairness Act to the President’s desk to be signed into law.

You can read full text of the FY26 NDAA, with inclusion of H.R. 474, the Lumbee Fairness Act, here.