The Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina moved closer to federal recognition with the approval of S.1735 by the Senate Indian Affairs Committee on Thursday.

Congress identified the Lumbees as Indians in 1965 but did not allow them to be treated like other tribes. The bill, which has the support of President Barack Obama, lifts the termination-era prohibition.

"It's a great step forward," Tribal Speaker Ricky Burnett told The Fayetteville Observer. "This is the farthest we've gotten in some time."

The last time Lumbee recognition reached the Senate floor was 1991, the paper said. This time, there don't appear to be any major opponents to the bill but Sen. John Barrasso (R-Wyoming), the vice chairman of the Indian Affairs Committee, said Congress should not be in the business of recognizing tribes.

Sen. Byron Dorgan (D-North Dakota), the chairman of the committee, agreed with that principle but said the Lumbees represent a special case due to way they have been treated by Congress.

The House passed H.R.31, its version of the bill, in June.

Get the Story:
Senate committee advances Lumbee bills (The Fayetteville Observer 10/23)

Committee Notice:
BUSINESS MEETING on pending committee issues (Thursday, October 15, 2009)

Lumbee Recognition Bills:
S.1735 | H.R.31 | H.R.839

Related Stories:
Lumbee, Virginia recognition up for consideration (10/21)
Editorial: The right time for Lumbee recognition (10/19)
Editorial: Lumbee Tribe needs recognition (10/9)
Lumbee recognition bill introduced in Senate (10/2)
House once again passes Lumbee recognition bill (06/04)
Lumbee, Virginia recognition bills on House agenda (6/3)
Lumbee Tribe hopeful for House vote on recognition (04/23)
House committee advances two recognition bills (4/22)
House Resources markup on recognition bills (4/21)
Obama supports recognition for Lumbee Tribe (3/19)
Lumbee Tribe hopes to carry Obama boost to Senate (3/19)
Obama administration backs Lumbee recognition (3/18)
Witness list for hearing on recognition bills (3/17)
House Resources hearing on federal recognition bills (3/16)
Road to Recognition: Rival Lumbee bill introduced (3/11)
Road to Recognition: Lumbee Tribe seeks housing (3/10)
Road to Recognition: Lumbee Tribe continues push (3/9)
Indian inmates fight over Lumbee recognition (2/24)
Lumbee Tribe recognition bill introduced again (01/15)