EXECUTIVE BRANCH

Establishment The Executive Branch of the Navajo Nation consists of divisions, departments, offices and programs as may be established by law. About 80% of the annual Navajo Nation budget is appropiated to administration and service delivery programs within this branch. The Executive Branch consists of ten main divisions: Education, Social Services, Health, Public Safety, Finance, General Services, Economic Development, Human Services, Natural Resources, and Community Development. Additional executive offices include: The Office of the President and Vice President, Tax Commission, Navajo-Hopi Land Commission, Office of Management and Budget, Navajo Nation Washington D.C. Office, and the Office of the Attorney General. Overall, the Executive Branch employs over 4,500 people.

Office of the President and Vice President
The Navajo People elect a President and Vice President. Both are elected for a term of four years and serve no more than two terms.

Powers of the President
The powers and duties of the President of the Navajo Nation include serving as the Chief Executive Officer of the Executive Branch of the Navajo Nation government with full authority to conduct, supervise, and coordinate personnel and programs. The Presiden and fiduciary responsibility to ensure the proper and effecient operation of all Executive Branch offices.

The President has the following enumerated powers: to faithfully execute and enforce the laws of the Navajo Nation; to negotiate and execute supervisory executive personnel; to appoint members of boards, commissions, and other entities; to report quarterly to the Navajo Nation Council on the state of the Navajo Nation; to recommend the Budget and Finance Committee an annual operating budget or amendments thereto for the Executive Branch and advise the Navajo Nation Council on the annual budget recommended by the Budget and Finance Committee. The President also recommends to the Navajo Nation Council supplemental appropiations for the Executive Branch; recommends legislation, rules or regulations to the Navajo Nation Council or its Committees; exercise such powers as may be lawfully delegated to the Office of the President of the Navajo Nation; represent the Navajo Nation on any and all matters relating to the Navajo-Hopi land dispute; vetoes legislation passed by the Navajo Nation Council subject to override of the veto by two-thirds (2/3) vote of the membership of the Navajo Nation Council. The veto exercised by the President by a letter to the Speaker specifying the reasons for the veto. This veto power is deemed waived if not exercised within ten(10) days after the certification of the legislation by the Speaker.