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2w ago

Watchdog Flags $93.4 Billion Pentagon Surge in September as Steak-and-Lobster Buys Draw Fire

A watchdog tally citing end-of-year “use it or lose it” spending has prompted calls for a congressional review.

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Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth speaks during an event at the Pentagon, honoring POWs and soldiers still missing in action, on September 19, 2025.
A US Marine serves lobster during the 249th Marine Corps Birthday meal at Mess Hall 488, Camp Foster, Okinawa, Japan, in November 2024.

Overview

  • Open The Books reports the Pentagon obligated about $93.4 billion in September 2025, including $50.1 billion in the final five working days.
  • Highlighted purchases include $15.1 million for ribeye, $6.9 million for lobster tails, $2 million for Alaskan king crab, and $225.6 million for furniture.
  • A $98,329 Steinway grand piano for the Air Force chief of staff’s residence, sushi prep tables, ice cream machines, and consumer electronics also appear in the data.
  • Democrats including Gov. Gavin Newsom and Sen. Chuck Schumer criticized the spending, and Rep. Melanie Stansbury said she will seek a formal investigation.
  • Conservative commentators and veterans argued the food outlays reflect long-standing morale meals tied to deployments, as others noted confusion in media framing over the timeframe and procurement context.