From the New York Post: Sen. Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) revealed to The Post Wednesday that she’s uncovered more than $77 billion in research and development spending by the Pentagon that’s been shielded from taxpayers.
The sum included funds for radio equipment, shipbuilding, COVID-19 vaccine development, test kits and therapeutics paid to companies like AstraZeneca and Microsoft between fiscal years 2021 and 2025.
“Sunshine is the best disinfectant, and I’m shining a light on any and all government secret spending. Now that we know that over $77 billion in Pentagon spending was unlawfully hidden from taxpayers, I’m lifting the veil,” Ernst said.
“This is exactly why my Stop Secret Spending Act, which the House Government Oversight Committee is moving forward today, must be signed into law, so Americans can know how every single one of their hard-earned dollars is being spent.”
Ernst, 55, is a retired lieutenant colonel in the Army National Guard, and has served in the U.S. Senate since 2015. She is not running for re-election this year, but continues to dig and expose wasteful spending by the U.S. government.
The latest wild spending exposed by Ernst appears to have mostly happened during the Biden administration. The report explains that the funding “is made possible through a process known as Other Transaction Agreements (OTAs) that allow federal agencies to circumvent transparency usually mandated by acquisition laws and regulations.”
Ernst announced in a post on X Wednesday:
It’s Sunshine Week! Despite laws I’ve written to shine a light on wasteful Washington spending, taxpayers are still being kept in the dark.
Like, how much is the Army is spending on monkey mind reading? 🐒
🐙 The Navy sunk tax dollars into conducting octopus hypnosis, but you’ll put yourself in a trance trying to find the cost.
🐙 The Navy sunk tax dollars into conducting octopus hypnosis, but you’ll put yourself in a trance trying to find the cost. pic.twitter.com/TTckITD4Fw
— Joni Ernst (@SenJoniErnst) March 18, 2026
Ernst further announced:
💰The government makes you account for every cent you earn — just to tax it. You deserve to know how your taxes are being spent! The Pentagon Inspector General agreed to investigate why my disclosure law is being ignored.
Today, I also introduced the COST Act to put price tags on EVERY project paid for with your taxes.
💰The government makes you account for every cent you earn — just to tax it.
You deserve to know how your taxes are being spent!
The Pentagon Inspector General agreed to investigate why my disclosure law is being ignored.
Today, I also introduced the COST Act to put price tags…
— Joni Ernst (@SenJoniErnst) March 18, 2026
Despite being a U.S. senator, Ernst reportedly had to “jump through hoops” to obtain the information on where the funding was going when digging into the past five fiscal years.
Ernst has now introduced an amendment she wants attached to the annual defense spending bill that would force the government to disclose all similar spending in the future, instead of keeping it hidden.
☀️More transparency for taxpayers is ALWAYS better! pic.twitter.com/gzfcRWhL6Z
— Joni Ernst (@SenJoniErnst) March 19, 2026
READ MORE from the New York Post.
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