Sen. Elizabeth Dole (R-North Carolina) is committed to gaining recognition for the Lumbee Tribe, her special assistant told tribal leaders.

Dole plans to seek more co-sponsors for S.660, a bill to recognize the tribe. She plans to lobby Sen. John McCain (R-Arizona), the chairman of the Senate Indian Affairs Committee, on the issue. McCain has not held a hearing on the bill.

Rep. Mike McIntyre (D-North Carolina) is sponsoring H.R.21 on the House side. It has not received a hearing either during the 109th Congress.

In the 108th Congress, the bill ran into opposition from the Eastern Band of Cherokees in North Carolina and some members of Congress who are allies of the tribe.

Get the Story:
Dole's assistant: Recognition for tribe a priority (The Fayetteville Observer 4/21)

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

Related Stories:
HUD to look into Lumbee housing complaints (03/23)
Lumbee chairman confident on federal recognition (10/25)
Hearing set on Lumbee Tribe housing dispute (01/21)
Lumbee Tribe already running into controversy (1/19)
Lumbee recognition bill introduced again (01/10)
Dole tried to insert Lumbee recognition in ominbus (11/24)
Column: Eastern Cherokees give money to enemies (09/07)
Lumbee recognition bill stalled in House and Senate (07/06)
Siouan group wants recognition before Lumbee Tribe (04/26)
Group accuses Lumbee Tribe of stealing heritage (04/15)
Editorial: Other tribes 'selfish' for opposing Lumbees (04/06)
Editorial: Lumbee recognition about fairness (4/5)
Clash over Lumbee recognition at House hearing (4/2)
House committee tackles Lumbee recognition bill (4/2)
House committee debating status of Lumbee Tribe (4/1)
House committee takes up recognition process (4/1)
House panel holds hearing on Lumbee recognition (3/22)
Supporters of Lumbee recognition bill expect fight (12/18)
Lumbee recognition bill delayed on Senate floor (12/03)
Eastern Cherokee Tribe afraid of Lumbee recognition (11/04)
Lumbee Tribe going to polls to elect new chair (11/3)
Senate panel advances Lumbee recognition bill (10/30)
Senate panel takes up Lumbee recognition bill (10/29)
Senate panel to decide on Lumbee recognition (10/08)
Benefits of Lumbee recognition said to be many (9/22)
Lumbee Tribe makes case for federal recognition (09/18)
Senate panel holds hearing on Lumbee recognition (09/18)
Lumbee delegation pushing for federal recognition (9/15)
Senate panel to hold hearing on Lumbee recognition (09/04)
School board supports recognition of Lumbee Tribe (08/12)
Senate panel to hold hearing on Lumbee recognition (8/4)
Lumbee Tribe hopes for resolution of status (3/19)
Lumbee tribal members debate extent of territory (3/7)
Opinion: Approve recognition of Lumbee Tribe (2/27)
Group says Lumbee recognition means casino (2/26)
Sen. Dole backs Lumbee recognition bill (02/19)
Lumbee Tribe seeks support fot federal status (2/18)
Lumbee recognition bill to be delayed (01/09)
Lumbee Tribe hopes for recognition (11/27)