Senate Approves 2026 NDAA, Securing Federal Recognition for Lumbee Tribe

The Senate approved the 2026 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), allocating nearly $900 billion in military spending and ensuring federal recognition for the Lumbee Tribe. President Trump is expected to sign the NDAA, fulfilling a previous directive to assist the Lumbee in obtaining recognition.

The Lumbee have sought federal recognition since the 1970s, but their claims are contested due to a lack of documented ancestry and connections to historic tribes. The Lumbee's mixed racial heritage complicates their recognition as a tribe.

The NDAA's inclusion of the Lumbee Recognition Act reflects shifting political support, with Lumbee voters increasingly aligning with Republican candidates. Critics argue that bypassing established federal procedures for tribal acknowledgment could undermine the legitimacy of all American Indian tribes and set a dangerous precedent for future claims.