Exclusive: Pentagon’s Secret Spending on Octopus Hypnosis and Monkey Mind-Reading Unveiled
A Call for Transparency in Pentagon Research Funding
Republican Senator Joni Ernst of Iowa has taken a bold step in calling for greater transparency in how the Department of War spends taxpayer dollars on research projects. In a recent letter to newly-confirmed Department of War Inspector General Platte Moring, Ernst requested detailed information on the costs associated with studies involving topics such as “octopus hypnosis,” “snail mucus,” and “monkey mind-reading” during the Biden administration.
Ernst, who sponsored the Cost Openness and Spending Transparency Act in 2021, has long advocated for increased accountability in federal spending. This act, which was included in that year’s National Defense Authorization Act, mandates that all federally funded studies disclose their costs to taxpayers. In her letter, Ernst highlighted five specific studies supported by the War Department’s research and development (R&D) budget.
“Posting a public price tag provides greater accountability for ensuring tax dollars are being spent strengthening our nation’s defenses and not being wasted on projects that are defenseless,” Ernst wrote. She emphasized the importance of transparency, given that the Pentagon is entrusted with over $140 billion annually for R&D aimed at modernizing national defenses and equipping service members with the best tools to protect the country.
The Omission of Financial Details
Despite the legal requirement for transparency, Ernst found that many of the studies funded by the Pentagon did not include the cost of the projects in public documents. According to her office, while recipients of R&D funds often mention receiving funding in press releases, they rarely specify the exact amount spent on individual projects.
“This is not the full transparency promised to taxpayers required by law,” Ernst stated. She pointed out that the lack of financial details makes it difficult to assess whether these projects align with the goal of strengthening national security.
A spokesperson for the Department of War told the Daily Caller News Foundation, “As with all Congressional correspondence, the Secretary will respond directly to the Senator” when reached for comment on the studies.
Controversial Research Topics
The studies in question included a range of unconventional topics, such as whether “octopus hypnosis” could replace anesthesia, the sleeping habits of elephant seals, the properties of “snail mucus,” and efforts to “decode and interpret the brain signals of monkeys.” None of these studies provided an explicit cost to taxpayers, according to Ernst.
“This is exactly why I authored my COST Act— to put an end to this shady spending and ensure folks in Iowa, and across the nation know exactly how their hard-earned money is being spent,” Ernst said. She criticized the Pentagon for diverting resources toward what she described as questionable research, including studies on octopus hypnosis, seal sleep patterns, and monkey mind reading.
Ernst also highlighted the broader issue of accountability within the Pentagon, noting that it is the only federal agency that has never passed an audit. “If we want the Pentagon to clean up its books, putting public price tags on these funds can no longer be Mission Impossible,” she added.
The Need for Accountability
Ernst’s call for transparency underscores a growing concern among lawmakers about the use of taxpayer dollars for research that may not directly contribute to national defense. Her efforts reflect a broader push for fiscal responsibility and accountability in government spending.
By demanding that the Pentagon provide clear and detailed information on the costs of its research projects, Ernst aims to ensure that taxpayers have a clear understanding of where their money is going. This initiative not only promotes transparency but also reinforces the importance of responsible spending in the context of national security.
- 100 Soal dan Kunci Jawaban Matematika SD Kelas 1 Semester 2 Kurikulum Merdeka 2026 - February 15, 2026
- Dinas Pendidikan Teluk Bintuni Minta Warga Sabar, Janjikan Perbaikan SD YPK Wagura - February 15, 2026
- Lulusan IU Menjelajahi Perawatan Demensia dengan Robot AI - February 15, 2026
Leave a Reply