LUMBERTON — Federal recognition for the Lumbee Tribe took a necessary step forward on Thursday with legislation making its way to the U.S. Senate.

The bill, which would bring hundreds of millions of dollars in federal aid to the Lumbee Tribe, was jointly introduced bu U.S. Sens. Richard Burr, a Republican, and Kay Hagan, a Democrat, both of whom represent North Carolina. They have publicly supported federal recognition for the tribe that has 55,000 members in Robeson, Cumberland, Hoke and Scotland counties.

“I am proud to introduce this legislation because the Lumbee Tribe should receive the federal recognition it deserves,” Burr said in a statement. “Currently, this can only happen through an act of Congress.”

Hagan could not be reached this morning, but according to The Fayetteville Observer she stated in a news release: “This bill will give the Lumbee Tribe federal recognition, which is long overdue. I am pushing for this bill to be promptly considered in the Senate so that thousands of Lumbees will finally get the credit they deserve.”

David Ward, press secretary for Burr, said this morning that the senator and his staff are “more optimistic than ever before” that the bill will eventually pass in the Senate. If that happens, it only needs President Obama’s signature.

“It will be very fruitful having the help of Sen. Hagan,” Ward said.

A Senate aide for Burr said this morning that the bill is now in the hands of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs. The bill could be considered in mid-October, and passed out of the committee by the end of November, the aide said. No committee hearing on the bill will be held.

No date has been set for the full Senate to take up the bill. The bill will probably not reach the Senate floor until sometime next year, Burr’s aide said.

Tribal Chairman Jimmy Goins said in a statement that he is thankful to Sens. Burr and Hagan for introducing the bill.

“I really would like to see it move in the Senate and a vote taken,’’ Goins said. “The Lumbees have been here so many times before, and I hope that this Republican and Democrat can finally move this bill through the Senate. The tribe has done all it can and now it rests with our senators, and we are looking to them not only for guidance and direction, but for final passage.’’

The bill, known as the Lumbee Recognition Act, passed the House in June. A similar bill passed the House in June 2007, but Congress adjourned before the Senate could take action on that bill.

Federal recognition is expected to provide the tribe with more than $700 million in aid over five years for medical care, economic development, education and child welfare.

The tribe began its quest for recognition in 1888, three years after North Carolina formally recognized it. Congress partially recognized the tribe in 1956 but denied the Lumbees federal benefits given to other American Indian tribes.