A North Carolina tribe, whose legitimacy has been questioned by other tribal nations, is seeking to obtain federal recognition through the latest annual defense authorization bill.

Why it matters: The Lumbee Tribe seeks federal recognition to unlock millions of dollars in funding for Native American programs, while other tribes argue that shortcutting the process by using Congress with the Lumbee's past would set a bad precedent.

Catch up quick: Earlier this month, the House passed the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) with an amendment that grants full federal recognition to the Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina. • The move comes after the Lumbee said the traditional way of gaining federal recognition through the Interior Department was "flawed" and overly lengthy. • "Today mar

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