The U.S. House of Representatives debates H.R.1964, the Lumbee Recognition Act, on November 16, 2020.

H.R.1964 extends federal recognition to the Lumbee Tribe, based in North Carolina. The bill repeals a termination-era law that prevents the Lumbees from being treated in the same manner as other Indian nations.

The House considered H.R.1964 under a suspension of the rules. The bill cleared the chamber by a voice vote.

“My people have been praying patiently for a long time, and with today’s vote, the House of Representatives took a giant step toward our goal. I am pleased beyond words,” Chairman Harvey Godwin, Jr. said on Monday.

The U.S. Senate has not yet taken action on companion legislation.

Lumbee Tribe sees progress on federal recognition bill (November 16, 2020)
Indian Country Today: Native voters play role in key Senate races (November 3, 2020)
Citizens of Lumbee Tribe endorse Joe Biden for president (October 26, 2020)
‘Trump is hitting us really hard’: Biden campaign confronts last minute push for Native vote (October 23, 2020)
‘Incredible Lumbee, Catawba tribes’ #NativeVote20 (October 22, 2020)
House Committee on Natural Resources schedules markup on Indian Country bills (September 28, 2020)