NC Senators Push Lumbee Recognition

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NC Senators Push Lumbee Recognition

Special Report - December 14, 2010
U.S. Sen. Kay Hagan (D–NC) has listed passage of the Lumbee Recognition Act as one of her top two priorities in the waning weeks of the 111th Congressional session. The Act would give full federal recognition and housing and education benefits to the Lumbee tribe residing in Robeson County, NC, while expressly prohibiting the tribe from opening a casino. The bill, S.1735—Lumbee Recognition Act, introduced in 2009 by Senator Richard Burr (R–NC), states, “The tribe may not conduct gaming activities as a matter of claimed inherent authority or under the authority of any Federal law.” Rep. Mike McIntyre (R–NC) has filed a similar bill, H.R. 31—Lumbee Recognition Act, in the House, which was sponsored by 185 representatives, including North Carolina Democrat Reps. G.K. Butterfield, Howard Coble, Bob Etheridge, Larry Kissell, Brad Miller, David Price, and Melvin Watt. Sen. Hagan told reporters that she will attempt to attach the Senate bill to the Senate’s Continuing Resolution that is expected to pass before the end of the year to keep the federal government running.

Some have speculated that the bill has wallowed this year in part because the Lumbee tribe signed a contract with a Las Vegas-based consulting firm to give the firm exclusive lobbying rights for the tribe’s recognition. As part of the contract, the firm is guaranteed a stake in future economic endeavors, like a casino.

Related resources:
Lumbee Recognition Bill Pending in U.S. Senate - September 27, 2007
Lumbee Bill Introduced in Congress - January 10, 2007
Senate Commitee Approves Lumbee Recognition - August 2, 2006
Lumbee Bill Markup Rescheduled - July 26, 2006
Lumbee Tribe Seeks Recognition on Capitol Hill - July 12, 2006
Lumbee Bill to Get Senate Hearing - July 10, 2006
Congressman Calls for Moratorium on New Tribal Casinos - January 20, 2006
Expanding Indian Gambling: Could Harrah’s Casino Become NC’s Atlantic City? - Findings - August 2005
Lumbee Recognition Act Reintroduced in U.S. Senate - March 23, 2005
Lumbee Recognition Act Revives Casino Chances - February 1, 2005
Economic Impact of Casino Gambling, Part 2 - FPM - July 9, 2005
Economic Impact of Casino Gambling, Part 1 - FPM - July 2, 2005
Lumbee Casino Gambling: Would Another Casino Be Good for North Carolina? - Findings - February 2004
Vote on Lumbee Bill Nears While Gambling Concerns Remain - October 20, 2003