Lumbee Tribe Set to Win Federal Status After Long Lobbying Push

A controversial, decades-long lobbying push for full federal recognition of the Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina is on the cusp of a win in this year’s defense policy measure.

Lawmakers, including Sen. Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), hitched the Lumbee provision onto the $901 billion annual legislation that deals with military pay raises and weapons systems, but also attracts unrelated matters looking for a glidepath out of Congress.

Lumbee tribal leaders and their lobbyists successfully courted support from key lawmakers and President Donald Trump for the measure that could allow the tribe to start a casino and tap funding for educational and ...