Streamlining Procurement for Effective Execution and Delivery and National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026

Floor Speech

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Mr. ROUZER. Madam Chair, I rise in support of my amendment to include the Lumbee Fairness Act in the bill before us today, providing the Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina the full Federal recognition they have been unfairly denied for decades.

Throughout recorded history, the Lumbee Tribe, comprised of nearly 60,000 members, has called southeastern North Carolina home. Despite their long history and cohesive culture, the Lumbee have never had access to the same Federal benefits enjoyed by every other federally recognized Tribes.

During what is referred to as the termination era, Congress passed the Lumbee Act of 1956 recognizing the Tribe yet denying them the Federal rights and protections afforded to other federally recognized Tribes.

Beginning in 1978, the Federal Government began rectifying the damage done during this era. Since then, Congress has stepped in, reversed its previous actions, and recognized 23 Tribes through legislation reestablishing their relationship with the Federal Government.

Legislation to rectify this for the Lumbee Tribe has been introduced in Congress more than 30 times with broad bipartisan support. In the past two Congresses, in fact, the House passed this legislation under suspension, most recently on December 17, 2024.

Outside of Congress, the Lumbee Fairness Act has the support of 236 Tribes across the country that have repeatedly cited the unfair treatment of the Tribe under the 1956 Lumbee Act.

Today, Congress can take a major step forward to end the unfair and unjust treatment of the Lumbee Tribe once and for all.

Mr. Chair, I urge my colleagues to support this amendment, and I reserve the balance of my time.

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Mr. ROUZER. Mr. Chair, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. Harris).

Mr. HARRIS of North Carolina. Mr. Chair, I thank the gentleman for yielding me time.

For far too long, the Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina has been wrongfully denied full Federal recognition, but today is a chance to make it right.

With over 55,000 individuals, the Lumbee people are a core part of my district and the great State of North Carolina. I am honored to be their advocate in Washington.

I know firsthand that they are salt-of-the-earth, hardworking patriots who deserve access to Federal services like their Tribal counterparts.

We must take legislative action to fix this problem and amend the 1956 law that currently prohibits this access.

Last Congress, Members across the aisle, as has already been mentioned, overwhelmingly voted to restore these rights to the Lumbee Tribe, but there wasn't time for the bill to clear the Senate. Today is our opportunity to get this crucial issue finally across the finish line. A vote today for the Lumbee people will fix a historic injustice, and I urge support of this amendment.

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Mr. ROUZER. Mr. Chair, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. McDowell).

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Mr. ROUZER. Mr. Chair, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. Moore).

Mr. MOORE of North Carolina. Mr. Chair, we are not here today to recognize the Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina. The Lumbee Tribe was already recognized by the United States Congress in 1956.

We are, however, here today to right a wrong, to end the termination era of Indian policy, and to take the Lumbee out of the legal limbo that they have been in for almost 70 years. It is the job of this Congress to right the wrongs of the past.

During the early 1900s, the Lumbee had numerous Indian agents sent by the U.S. Government go to the homelands, study them, collect data, and determine if they are, in fact, Indian. Each time the Indian agents returned to the District of Columbia, they reported back that these were indeed Indian people. They were Indian people who had survived disease, warfare, and colonization.

I know the Lumbee personally. They are a resilient, strong, and proud people. The Lumbee have served this country in every branch of the military. They contribute to our society. The Lumbee have a strong faith in God. They are good friends who value education, hard work, and community.

I am proud to stand with the Lumbee and urge this body to vote today to end a decades-long wrong.

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Mr. ROUZER. Mr. Chair, I yield back the balance of my time.

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