Butterfield’s Lumbee Recognition Act Passes House

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman G. K. Butterfield issued the following statement after his bill, H.R. 1964, the Lumbee Recognition Act was passed out of the House of Representatives

“Today’s unanimous and bipartisan vote to pass H.R. 1964 is a long-awaited victory for the Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina. I am proud to have introduced this legislation that will right a historic wrong by finally extending the Lumbee Tribe the full federal recognition they deserve. When enacted, the Lumbee Tribe will be a sovereign entity under federal law and have access to federal funding and services that will promote economic development, access to quality health care, and robust community empowerment. I am grateful for the support of my colleagues in the North Carolina Congressional Delegation on both sides of the aisle, Chairman Grijalva for getting my bill through the Natural Resources Committee, and to Leader Steny Hoyer for prioritizing a vote on the House floor on this critical legislation. I look forward to the swift passage of this bill in the Senate.”