The Senate Indian Affairs Committee advanced a bill to extend federal recognition to the Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina but supporters say it probably won't pass this year.

S.660 would reverse a termination era act that identified the Lumbees as Indian but prevented them from receiving services as a federally recognized tribe.

Sen. Elizabeth Dole (R-North Carolina) and Sen. Richard Burr (R-North Carolina), a member of the committee, and Rep. Mike McIntyre (D-North Carolina) support the tribe. But Dole and Burr said yesterday the bill probably won't go to the full Senate due to the lack of time left in the legislative calendar.

The Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, the only federally recognized tribe in the state, opposes the bill. Sen. Craig Thomas (R-Wyoming) tried to amend the measure to require the Lumbees to go through the federal recognition process but he was voted down.

Get the Story:
Lumbee bill gets panel's OK, stalls (The Winston-Salem Journal 8/3)
Lumbee bill goes to Senate (The Fayetteville Observer 8/3)
Lumbee bill heads to Senate with N.C. support (The Charlotte News & Observer 8/3)

Hearing Info:
LEGISLATIVE HEARING on S. 660, the Lumbee Recognition Act (July 12, 2006)

Lumbee Recognition Bills:
S.660 | H.R.21 | H.R.4171

Relevant Links:
Official Lumbee Tribe website - http://www.lumbeetribe.com
Lumbee Regional Development Association - http://www.lumbee.org

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Sen. Liz Dole: Lumbee Tribe deserves recognition (8/2)
Editorial: Poverty and murder in Lumbee country (7/27)
Vote on Lumbee Tribe recognition bill delayed (7/25)
Editorial: Lumbees unwavering in recognition fight (7/17)
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Lumbee recognition bill to get July 12 hearing (6/29)
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Lumbee recognition bill stalled in House and Senate (07/06)
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