The Senate Indian Affairs Committee approved S.1218, a bill to extend federal recognition to the Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina, at a business meeting on Thursday.

Congress identified the Lumbees as "Indians" in 1956. But the law, which was passed during the termination era, said they weren't eligible for federal services.

Two other tribes that were the subject of similar acts of Congress have since been restored to federal recognition. The Lumbee bill has never passed amid opposition from the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, the only federally recognized tribe in North Carolina.

The Cherokee Nation and the United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians also oppose Lumbee recognition.

Get the Story:
Senate panel OKs Lumbee bill (The Laurinburg Exchange 7/29)
U.S. Senate panel advances Lumbee recognition bill (The Fayetteville Observer 7/29)

Committee Notice:
Business Meeting (July 28, 2011)

Related Stories:
Senate Indian Affairs Committee business meeting on Thursday (7/27)