Senate Passes Bill Cutting $1.1B Public Media Funding, GWAR Urges Opposition

GWAR's lead singer, Blöthar the Berserker, has publicly urged fans and the broader public to oppose the Senate's Rescissions Act, which proposes cutting $1.1 billion in previously approved government funding for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, threatening PBS, NPR, and many local stations. Blöthar emphasized the importance of public media by recalling Fred Rogers' 1969 testimony before Congress, which helped secure funding for these outlets, highlighting their vital role in providing art, culture, and education, especially in rural areas. He warned that eliminating this funding could silence music and diminish access to cultural programming, urging people to contact their representatives to remove the anti-public media provisions from the bill before it returns to the House. The call to action comes amid broader Republican efforts under President Trump’s administration to reduce government spending, framed by supporters as targeting liberal bias in public media. While GWAR is primarily known for their theatrical metal performances, Blöthar's message reflects a rare and serious advocacy for preserving public broadcasting. The band is currently touring but continues to use their platform to rally support against these proposed funding cuts.