Navajo Council approves emergency legislation that overrides presidential qualifications with people’s vote

Here at the Navajo Nation Council where lawmakers heatly debating Legislation 0298-14 “An Action Relating To An Emergency; To Address A Matter Which Directly Threatens The Sovereignty Of The Navajo Nation; Amending Language Requirements Of The Navajo Nation”

DELEGATE
We need more information on supreme court decision and election board decisions.

Chief legislative counsel levon henry
today, Election board had motion that not make changes to election process but added questions about supreme court order. So they asked attorneys from justice department and legislative counsel for more information.

DELEGATE RUSSELL BEGAYE
Must be member of Navajo Nation, 30 years of age; must fluently speak and understand Navajo, not convicted of felony last five years; crimes of deceit, misrepresentation, aggravated battery. And we have to read and you take an oath when you take affidavit to be notarized – not commiting fraud, perjury, misrepresentation. This session and hearing debate is this is interference with court ruling.

DELEGATE KATHERINE BENALLY
I am absolutely objecting to AG and Legislative Counsel giving us advice when they are representing Election Board.

DELEGATE ALTON SHEPHERD
We are in fourth year and most of you know how we applied ourselves as leaders with highest integrity to apply rule of law. We took that oath to uphold Navajo law. This legislation is not right at this time cuz it doesn’t apply to Title 2. It will create more confusion. I heard constituents talk about Chief Manuelito to go get educated and return to help people. and that means to be bi-lingual. Other tribes trying to revive language. I hold myself accountable, as well as you my colleagues.
We are going back and forth about interpretations. Are we going to add this. As parent and teacher, you can’t please everyone. As delegate Russell begaye brought out qualification and to hold candidates accountable and that includes Mr. Deschene. And in there is main thing debating, is at the beginning, not doing this or saying this. I understand that I will be removed as candidate if make false statements in candidacy oath. Maybe political suicide for some of use to say that but so be it.

DELEGATE LORENZO CURLEY
Title 2 talks about candidates qualifications and supreme court says its organic law and everything derives from there, like constitution. Federal lawmakers make legislative remedy when they don’t agree with Supreme Court decision.

DELEGATE LEONARD TSOSIE
this about leadership and doing the right thing. how address disenfranchisement of voters. hear that this is because of one person. but no one defended him when he was taken to stockade.

VOTE ON EMERGENCY LEGISLATION
10 in favor, 10 opposed

SPEAKER PRO TEMP LORENZO BATES
when i look at fundamental law, it talks about people choosing their leader and i haven’t heard it. i understand the courts but it keep going back to that, that the people have right to choose their leader. and i also recognize the consequences of my vote and i’m willing to take that at this point. i vote green.

VOTE ON EMERGENCY LEGISLATION IS 11 IN FAVOR, 10 IN FAVOR
VOTE AT 12:18 AM

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