Federal recognition for the Lumbee Tribe moved forward this week as legislation was passed by a key U.S. Senate Committee — the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs.

Passage of the bill would bring hundreds of millions of dollars in federal aid to the Lumbee Tribe. Although the tribe would be prohibited from building casinos, it would be eligible for health care, education, housing, economic opportunities and other benefits currently received by other tribes recognized by the federal government.

The bill was jointly introduced earlier this month by North Carolina’s U.S. Sens. Richard Burr and Kay Hagan. Burr, a Republican, and Hagan, a Democrat, have publicly supported federal recognition for the tribe that has more than 50,000 members — most of whom live in Robeson, Cumberland, Hoke and Scotland counties.

“This is a big step forward,” David Ward, press secretary for Burr, said this morning. “(The bill) passed on a voice vote. It’s now onto the Senate floor.”

An aide for Burr said that the committee still must issue a written report before the bill will be brought to the Senate floor.

“I was thrilled that the bill made it through committee with no amendments,” the aide said. “The bill remains just as the tribe wanted.”

In a written statement Hagan said, “Federal recognition for the Lumbee Tribe is long overdue. As a staunch supporter of Lumbee recognition, I am excited about the progress Senator Burr and I have made for the Lumbees in the Senate this year. We will be working to quickly move this bill to the Senate floor and finally give the Lumbees the credit they deserve.”

The bill before the Senate is identical to the Lumbee Recognition Act that U.S. Rep. Mike McIntyre shepherded through the House earlier this year.

Current tribal chairman Jimmy Goins said this morning he is pleased with the bill’s progress and hopes this time around the committee report will be released very soon.

“I’m happy — it is good news,” said Goins.

“We thank Congressman McIntyre and Senator Burr and Senator Hagan for their leadership for getting it out of committee. Now the next step is getting the committee report out — last time it took a month to two months ... This time we hope they can get it out in a couple of weeks.”

In a separate bill approved by the committee Thursday, six other Indian tribes in North Carolina and Virginia would gain federal recognition and become eligible for federal aid. Those tribes and the Lumbee Tribe would be eligible for up to $800 million in federal funds.

Lawmakers said Congress does not have the expertise to determine federal recognition of tribes, but noted that they have faced lengthy delays in accessing federal funding for housing, education and health benefits.

President Barack Obama has pledged support for the Lumbee Tribe, which has sought federal recognition for more than a century. The administration has not said whether it will support recognition of the Virginia tribes.