Congress·In Committee·S. 107

Sens. Tillis and Budd Introduce Lumbee Fairness Act to Grant Full Federal Recognition to NC Tribe

Lumbee Fairness Act

5 months ago·View on Congress.gov

Legislative Progress

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Key Points

This bill would grant full federal recognition to the Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina, reversing a 1956 law that acknowledged them as Native Americans but blocked them from receiving the same federal benefits as other tribes. This would make them eligible for all programs available to federally recognized tribes.
From policy text
“Federal recognition is extended to the Tribe (as designated as petitioner number 65 by the Office of Federal Acknowledgment).”
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Tribal members would become eligible for all federal services and benefits provided to recognized Indian tribes, including healthcare through the Indian Health Service, education grants, and housing assistance. Members in four North Carolina counties would be treated as living on or near a reservation for service delivery purposes.
From policy text
“The Tribe and its members shall be eligible for all services and benefits provided by the Federal Government to federally recognized Indian tribes.”
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The Secretary of the Interior would be authorized to take land into trust for the benefit of the tribe. Land in Robeson County would be treated as an 'on reservation' trust acquisition, streamlining the process for establishing tribal land holdings where the tribe is centered.
From policy text
“Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Secretary is hereby authorized to take land into trust for the benefit of the Tribe.”
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The Secretary of the Interior and the Secretary of Health and Human Services would be required to consult with the tribe and assess its needs, then submit a written statement of those needs to Congress — ensuring that adequate funding and services actually follow recognition.
From policy text
“develop, in consultation with the Tribe, a determination of needs to provide the services for which members of the Tribe are eligible”
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North Carolina would initially keep criminal and civil jurisdiction over tribal land, but the bill creates a pathway for the state and tribe to negotiate a transfer of some or all of that jurisdiction to the federal government, with a two-year waiting period after any agreement.
From policy text
“A transfer of jurisdiction described in paragraph (1) may not take effect until 2 years after the effective date of the agreement described in that paragraph.”
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Civil RightsHealthcareHousing

Impact Analysis

Personal Impact

Who is affectedScoreImpactCertaintyScopeDurationSentiment

Scores: 1 = low, 5 = highSentiment: -5 to +5 (net benefit)

State Impacts

StateScoreImpactCertaintyScopeDurationSentiment

Scores: 1 = low, 5 = highSentiment: -5 to +5 (net benefit)

Milestones

2 milestones3 actions

Nov 5, 2025Senate

Committee on Indian Affairs. Hearings held. Hearings printed: S.Hrg. 119-275.

Jan 16, 2025Senate

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Indian Affairs.

Jan 16, 2025

Introduced in Senate

What Happens Next

Projected impacts based on AI analysis

Within months of enactment

Secretary of the Interior begins verifying the tribal roll

Once the tribe submits its digitized membership roll, the Interior Department has up to 2 years to verify it. Federal services can't flow until this step is complete.

After tribal roll verification (up to 2+ years after enactment)

Needs assessment submitted to Congress

The Interior Department and HHS would determine what services and funding the tribe needs and formally tell Congress, setting the stage for actual appropriations to serve 55,000 tribal members.

Related News

6 articles

PBS News·3 months ago

Lumbee Tribe's federal recognition is assured after final push by Trump

With the passage of the National Defense Authorization Act, the Lumbee Tribe is set to become a federally recognized nation. The move follows decades of lobbying and a campaign promise from Donald Trump, though it faced opposition from other tribes regarding genealogical documentation.

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Native News Online·5 months ago

Senate Committee on Indian Affairs to Hear Testimony on Lumbee Tribe Federal Recognition Bill

The Senate Committee on Indian Affairs scheduled a hearing for S. 107, the Lumbee Fairness Act. Introduced by Sen. Thom Tillis, the bill seeks to overturn the 1956 Lumbee Act that recognized the tribe but barred them from receiving federal services available to other recognized nations.

Carolina Journal·about 1 year ago

Harris, Rouzer to reintroduce Lumbee Fairness Act as Trump signals support

Reps. Mark Harris and David Rouzer introduced the Lumbee Fairness Act at the start of the 2025 session. The bill aims to provide full federal services to members in Robeson, Cumberland, Hoke, and Scotland counties, focusing on healthcare and economic development in one of NC's poorest regions.

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