WINDOW ROCK — On December 13, Navajo Nation President Buu Nygren signed Resolution CN-56-25into law while exercising his line-item veto authority to ensure that Navajo Nation funds are used responsibly, equitably, and cost-effectively.
The resolution approves a total of $7.83 million from the Unreserved, Undesignated Fund Balance (UUFB) to suppoart Legislative and Executive Branch operations for Fiscal Year 2026.
Through this action, President Nygren ensured that the Legislative Branch will receive $3,269,638.
As promised by President Nygren, personnel funding for all branches of government is fully funded, including Legislative District Assistants (LDAs). In addition, several Navajo Nation Council Standing Committees are fully funded for FY2026, including the Budget & Finance, Health, Education and Human Services, Law & Order, and Resources & Development.
The resolution also fully funds the Navajo Nation Council Youth Advisory Council, reinforcing the importance of youth engagement and leadership development. Critical Executive Branch programs received operating support as well, including Human Resources, Water Resources, and the Office of the Navajo Public Defender.
Notably, the Office of the Navajo Public Defender was restored from having zero operating funds to more than $200,000, ensuring continued protection of the constitutional rights of Navajo citizens.
Operating funding for the Judicial Branch had been addressed earlier through separate action, which provided support to courts that previously had no operating budgets.
President Nygren thanked Speaker Crystalyne Curley and the 25th Navajo Nation Council for advancing the legislation and acknowledged meaningful progress toward resolving outstanding FY2026 budget disagreements.
While progress has been made across multiple branches, the Office of the President and Vice President continues to receive little to no operating funding for FY2026.
President Nygren exercised the line-item veto to promote transparency, accountability, and balance across all branches of government, and calls upon the Council to critically reassess its own Branch operations to be cost effective. This necessarily includes a review of Council’s own operating appropriations and spending priorities.
President Nygren is now calling for a leadership meeting or Special Session as soon as possible to finalize a sustainable and fair operating budget and to ensure a fully functioning Navajo Nation government.
“It is time to move forward, work together, and focus on what truly matters — serving the Navajo people.”
President Nygren has asked Controller Sean McCabe to assist in determining the expenditures for both the Legislative and Executive Branches to begin a realistic amount needed for operating costs.