Political Quotes

“I thank Senator Burr for his leadership and leaning into this for many years before I even joined the Senate. I thank Senator Dole for filing this bill that actually even had Senator McConnell's cosponsorship many, many years ago. I thank the Lumbee people for their patience, but, quite honestly, when you are talking about the ninth largest Tribe east of the Mississippi River--I am sorry--the ninth largest in the Nation and the largest Tribe east of the Mississippi River, a Tribe that has been seeking recognition since 1888--they were recognized as Indian by the State of North Carolina in 1885. In 1956, they were partially recognized. We heard a unanimous vote coming out of the House. They were prepared to provide recognition. In November, we heard President Trump and Vice President Biden both say they support recognition. So we are so close. There is a compelling case. It is a century in the making. And the fact that we couldn't get this through today when it passed unanimously out of the House just a month ago I think is a shame. I appreciate Senator Burr for his patience and his tenacity. We are not going to let this go. Hopefully, it gets done tonight, but we have to recognize that the Lumbee people deserve recognition, they deserve respect. They have been fighting for it for a century, and I am going to fight for it as long as I am in the U.S. Senate. I yield the floor.”