In a letter sent today, Democratic Rep. Heath Shuler and Republican Reps. Patrick McHenry and Walter Jones urge their colleagues to vote against the Lumbee Recognition Act.

The bill would confer tribal status on the Eastern North Carolina tribe. But the representatives argue that there are "serious questions" about its heritage:

"One outside expert called the Lumbee 'an invented North Carolina Indian tribe.' In fact, the Lumbee group has sought federal recognition as four different, unrelated Indian tribes over the years ('Croatan,' 'Siouan,' 'Cherokee,' and now 'Cheraw'), and Congress has appropriately rejected these efforts for decades."

The representatives have sponsored an alternative bill that would put the Lumbee through an administrative process to determine their status.

Connecticut Rep. Christopher Shays also signed the letter.