Political Quotes

“this year's NDAA strengthens America's military readiness. It invests in cutting-edge defense capabilities. It ensures our servicemembers have the training, tools, and support they need to confront the growing threats that we face at home and abroad. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to express my strong opposition to the NDAA provision that seeks to circumvent the established merit-based process for Federal Tribal recognition and instead grant unchecked Federal recognition to the Lumbee community. I am proud to represent North Carolina's 11th District, home of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, a sovereign Tribal Nation whose culture, language, and history are a treasure not only to the State of North Carolina but to the United States as a whole. The Eastern Band of Cherokee are the descendants of those who fought to remain in their ancestral homelands in the face of forced Federal removal. By contrast, it must be noted that the Lumbee community has no treaties with the Federal Government, no reservation land, and no common language. As Members of Congress, one of our most solemn responsibilities is to ensure that laws are applied fairly, objectively, and consistently. For over 40 years, the Department of the Interior through the Office of Federal Acknowledgement has carried out a rigorous merit-based process for determining Federal Tribal recognition.”