On Wednesday, June 3, the U.S. House of Representatives passed two bills that would federally recognize seven tribes in Virginia and North Carolina.
The legislation, sponsored by Rep. James P. Moran Jr. of Virginia, would add the Chickahominy, Chickahominy Eastern Division, Upper Mattaponi, Rappahannock, Monacan and Nansemond Tribes of Virginia to the list of 562 federally recognized tribes.
The Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina would also be added to the list of federally recognized tribes with the passage of similar legislation sponsored by Representative Mike McIntyre of North Carolina.
The bills now move to the U.S. Senate, where both stalled during the last Congress.
Virginia Senators Jim Webb and Mark Warner have introduced similar legislation to that of Representative Moran.
President Barack Obama has expressed support for the recognition of the Lumbee Tribe.