WINDOW ROCK, Ariz. — Navajo Nation Council Speaker Crystalyne Curley delivered the Speaker’s Report during the opening day of the 2025 Fall Council Session, Oct. 20, addressing the Fiscal Year 2026 comprehensive budget, the alleged unlawful removal of Controller Sean McCabe, the ongoing federal government shutdown, and efforts to protect federal benefits for Navajo families.
Curley reported that the 25th Navajo Nation Council unanimously adopted the FY2026 Comprehensive Budget on Sept. 9, following public hearings and a data-driven review of expenditures across all three branches of government. Despite increased funding for the Office of the President and Vice President, President Buu Nygren used his line-item veto authority on Sept. 15 to eliminate 28 Legislative Branch positions and over $8.8 million in funding.
The Speaker noted that the OPVP’s current $5.5 million allocation represents one of the largest presidential budgets in Navajo Nation history, representing a 68% increase since 2023. Nygren provided no justification for his request for an additional $1.5 million.
“We didn’t receive any real justification for why this $1.5 million increase was needed,” Curley said. “As a data-driven budget, we wanted to see how it would be used and what the measures were. Not one delegate has said we want a 68% increase in our salary, travel, or stipend.”
On Sept. 25, the Council passed legislation to restore $8.1 million in Legislative Branch funding, $940,000 for the Judicial Branch, and $245,000 for the Navajo Nation Youth Council. Nygren again vetoed $6.6 million on Oct. 6, including salaries for Legislative Branch positions and all Youth Council funding.
“The President only restored 7% of the Legislative Branch’s operating budget, half of which funded Legislative District Assistants,” Curley said. “The Council has been operating on minimal funds, with many Council delegates using personal resources to continue their work.”
To preserve legislative staff positions, the Naabik’íyáti’ Committee approved legislation on Oct. 16 to reallocate funds from the Office of the Speaker’s personnel budget to temporarily sustain 27 positions for at least one additional month. The reallocation bill will be presented to the full Council during the fall session.
Curley reaffirmed the Council’s recognition of Sean McCabe as the duly confirmed Controller of the Navajo Nation. On Oct. 17, the Window Rock District Court granted a temporary restraining order halting President Nygren’s alleged unlawful attempt to remove McCabe and prohibiting the appointment of an Acting Controller without Budget and Finance Committee approval. The Speaker said the President’s actions appeared retaliatory after McCabe disclosed records showing $229,000 was redirected from missing persons services to cover OPVP travel and operational expenses.
The Speaker addressed the ongoing federal government shutdown, which began Oct. 1, reaffirming the Council’s efforts to safeguard federal benefits such as WIC, SNAP, and Medicaid. She commended the Council’s action to resolve administrative delays that had temporarily halted WIC benefits for more than 4,200 Navajo families.
“As we move forward, the 25th Navajo Nation Council will continue to voice the concerns of the Navajo people,” Curley said. “The Council is committed to upholding the rule of law, defending the independence of our government, and protecting the well-being of our Nation.”
The 25th Navajo Nation Council voted 18 in favor and one opposed to accept the Speaker’s Report for the 2025 Fall Council Session. To read or download the report, visit www.navajonationcouncil.org/committees and select 2025 Fall Session Reports and Presentations.
