SOCASTEE, S.C. (WBTW) -- A decades-long push by America's ninth largest Native American tribe to win federal recognition got a major boost on Tuesday, after the U.S. House broadly backed its request. The Lumbee Fairness Act moved through on a 311-96 vote, and sets up the need for swift action in the Senate to get the bill to President Joe Biden before Congress recesses in a week. Based in Robeson County, the Lumbees count 55,000 members and are the largest tribe east of the Mississippi River. In 1956, Congress acknowledged the Lumbees as being American Indians but denied them benefits of a federally recognized tribe. A 2016 opinion by the U.S. Department of Interior's top attorney reversed a 1989 agency position that the Lumbees couldn't petition for eligibility -- opening the door for Congressional action. In a statement, U.S. Sens. Thom Tillis and Ted Budd said they'll both work to complete the job and get a federal recognition to the White House. Even if it stalls before Congress adjourns, President-Elect Trump has repeatedly supported the move. "“I am dedicated to ensuring that Congress fulfills its six-decade-old promise to grant full federal recognition to the Lumbee people. We are now closer than ever to finally fulfilling that promise," Tillis said. Retiring U.S. Rep. David Bishop, R-N.C., called the 1956 stance an "abomination" that needed to be corrected. "Lumbee recognition remains the unfinished business closest to my heart," he said during Tuesday's House floor deliberations. "I am please to say that victory is in sight." More than 30 bills -- all with broad bipartisan support -- have been introduced over the years aiming to get the Lumbees federal recognition, which unlocks benefits for affordable housing, healthcare and other services. U.S. Rep. David Rouzer, a North Carolina Republican whose district includes Robeson County, urged his colleagues to back it once again. "This needs to be done," he said. "Today, the House can take a great step forward to right the wrong of the unfair and unjust treatment of the Lumbee Tribe once and for all."