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▲ Good look for TillisCivil Rights / Liberties

Trump signs NDAA, officially granting Lumbee full federal recognition

Tillis backed the Lumbee recognition measure and praised its enactment after the Senate vote.

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This article1 analysis · Oct 12, 2026
Dec 19, 2025
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President Donald Trump signed the defense authorization bill into law, granting the Lumbee Tribe full federal recognition. The recognition ends a decades-long limit on the Tribe’s access to benefits available to federally recognized tribes.

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Thom Tillis R · NC · SEN
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Thom Tillis
R · NC · SEN

Senator who backed the Lumbee Fairness Act and supported its inclusion in the defense bill.

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Donald Trump
R · President of the United States

President who signed the defense bill granting the Lumbee Tribe full federal recognition.

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Mark Harris
R · NC-8

North Carolina representative identified as a cosponsor of the House bill.

David Rouzer
R · NC-7

North Carolina representative who sponsored the House version of the Lumbee Fairness Act.

Ted Budd
R · NC · SEN

North Carolina senator who reintroduced the Senate version of the Lumbee Fairness Act.

ALSO MENTIONED  Alex Baker, Lumbee Tribal Speaker who commented on the recognition.; John Lowery, Lumbee Tribal Chairman who welcomed the recognition.

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