Senator Thom Tillis (R-NC) announced that the Lumbee Fairness Act, included in the Fiscal Year 2026 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), has passed and is set to become law. This legislation grants full federal recognition to the Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina, ending a 137-year effort by the tribe.
“For 137 years, the Lumbee Tribe have been fighting for federal recognition, and today the federal government has finally honored that promise. President Trump traveled to Robeson County and pledged to get federal recognition done. He kept that promise and showed extraordinary leadership. With the Senate passage of the NDAA, the Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina will now achieve full federal recognition and access to every federal benefit they have earned and deserve,” said Tillis in a statement.
Tillis highlighted cooperation among various North Carolina leaders: “This was a team effort on the part of North Carolina leaders. I am grateful to Chairman John Lowery, Senator Ted Budd, Michael Whatley, and Members of the North Carolina Congressional Delegation – including Representatives Rouzer, Hudson, Harris, McDowell, and Moore – for working together to achieve this historic success.”
He also recognized his staff’s role in advancing this legislation: “I want to thank my staff, especially Cirilo Perez, whose tireless and dedicated work behind the scenes played an instrumental role in breaking a decades-old legislative stalemate and making this historic moment a reality.”
Senator Tillis has served as U.S. Senator since winning election against Kay Hagan in 2014 with 48.8% of votes compared to Hagan’s 47.3%. In his re-election campaign in 2020, he defeated Cal Cunningham with 48.7% versus Cunningham’s 46.9%.
