WINDOW ROCK — Maintaining a clear separation of powers within the Navajo Nation government is essential to ensuring accountability, transparency, and fairness for the Navajo people. The Nation’s system of checks and balances was established to prevent any one branch of government from holding too much authority and to protect the integrity of institutions responsible for budgeting, financial oversight, and public trust. Decisions involving the Nation’s budget and financial planning directly impact communities, programs, infrastructure, and essential services across the Navajo Nation.
On May 11, 2026, Navajo Nation President Buu Nygren vetoed Resolution CAP-31-26, legislation that sought to amend Navajo Nation law governing the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), citing concerns over separation of powers, checks and balances, and the independence of the Nation’s budget process.
“The Navajo Nation established separation of powers to prevent the concentration of authority in any one branch of government,” President Nygren said. “This legislation undermines those protections and weakens the independence of the Office of Management and Budget, which was intentionally created to serve as a neutral and professional institution for budget planning and oversight.”
The legislation would fundamentally shift authority over the OMB Director away from the Executive Branch and place it under the “general direction and guidance” of the Navajo Nation Council, a change that conflicts with the 1989 Title II Amendments, which established the Navajo Nation’s modern system of government with three separate and equal branches.
Furthermore, the legislation would create confusion within the Executive Branch by requiring the OMB Director to potentially answer to both the President and the Navajo Nation Council simultaneously. President Nygren warned that this could place the OMB Director in an “untenable and impossible position,” especially during disagreements between the Executive and Legislative Branches regarding budget matters.
The OMB was intentionally structured as an independent office within the Executive Branch to provide checks and balances in financial planning, grants management, and intra-governmental auditing. President Nygren stated that shifting political direction over the office could erode public trust and weaken the integrity of the Nation’s budget process.
President Nygren further noted that major structural changes involving the balance of power between branches of government should ultimately be decided by the Navajo people.
“I remain committed to protecting the integrity of Navajo government and ensuring that our institutions operate in accordance with Navajo law and the principles established by the people,” President Nygren said.
