Author: Donovan Quintero

The Council has certified a $694 million budget for fiscal 2026, but President Buu Nygren on Sept. 15 exercised his line-item veto authority, cutting select appropriations he argued lacked accountability and fiscal discipline. The action highlights the president’s unique constitutional authority in financial matters – an authority the Council cannot override under Navajo law.

The Senate Committee on Indian Affairs has advanced William “Billy” Kirkland’s nomination to serve as assistant secretary for Indian Affairs at the Department of the Interior, moving it to the full Senate for a final vote. 

The Navajo Nation Council approved a $624 million budget for fiscal 2026 earlier this month, but Nygren vetoed $22.8 million in line items on Sept. 16, including $8.8 million from the Legislative Branch and $15.7 million from the Executive Branch.

A tornado warning was issued Friday morning for parts of the Navajo Nation as severe thunderstorms swept across the region.

New Mexico’s congressional delegation is pressing House and Senate leaders to pass two measures central to the Navajo Nation’s long-running water claims – the Navajo Nation Rio San José Water Rights Settlement Act and the Navajo–Gallup Water Supply Project Amendments Act – as part of a broader package of tribal water settlements.