The US Department of Defense spent a record $93 billion in September 2025, mostly due to “use it or lose it” funding rules at the end of the fiscal year. No federal agency has ever spent so much on grants and contracts in one month. Over half of the spending occurred in the last five working days of the month.
The Pentagon’s massive spending comes as President Trump focuses on cutting government costs, despite calling for a significant increase to the military budget. The September spending included $6.6 billion in purchases from foreign governments and businesses, more than twice the previous record.
Experts say the expensive meals served to troops might be morale-boosters, but could also be seen as extravagant. The Department of Defense spent millions on furniture, musical instruments, and luxury items like a Steinway & Sons grand piano for the Air Force chief of staff’s home.
The record-breaking spending is attributed to the “use it or lose it” rule, which requires departments to spend their budget before the end of the fiscal year. This rule likely restricted Pentagon spending in the first six months of 2025, leaving more funds available in the second half of the year.
Source: https://edition.cnn.com/2026/03/12/politics/use-it-or-lose-it-pentagon-spending-binge-set-record-in-final-days-of-fiscal-year