The fight for the survival of AM radio has just entered an important, pivotal new chapter, and it sees unlikely political leaders on Capitol Hill coming together in a rare show of bipartisanship to ensure there is AM radio access in every vehicle in the U.S.
Introducing the AM for Every Vehicle Act, endorsed by the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) and the National Association of Farm Broadcasters.
The legislation was introduced in the Senate by Massachusetts Democrat Ed Markey and Texas Republican Ted Cruz, with additional support from Democrats Ben Ray Luján of New Mexico and Tammy Baldwin of Wisconsin; and Republicans Deb Fischer of Nebraska and J.D. Vance of Ohio.
All are members of the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee.
In the House of Representatives, New Jersey Democrat Rep. Josh Gottheimer — once a speechwriter for President Bill Clinton and a vocal supporter for AM radio’s survival — was joined by Garden State colleagues Rep. Tom Kean Jr. (a republican), Robert Jacobsen Menendez Jr. (a Democrat). Other co-sponsors on the House side include Arkansas Republican Bruce Westerman and 34-year-old Washington Democrat Marie Gluesenkamp Perez.
If passed, the AM for Every Vehicle Act would direct federal regulators to require automakers to maintain AM broadcast radio in their new vehicles at no additional charge.
The legislation follows from a letter Sen. Markey in December 2022 sent to 20 of the world’s leading carmakers, requesting that they maintain access to AM broadcast radio in their vehicles. Of the 20 carmakers, eight had removed AM broadcast radio from their electric vehicles.
Specifically, the AM for Every Vehicle Act would:
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Direct the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to issue a rule that requires automakers to maintain AM broadcast radio in their vehicles without a separate or additional payment, fee, or surcharge;
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Require any automaker that sells vehicles without access to AM broadcast radio before the effective date of the NHTSA regulation to clearly disclose to consumers that the vehicle lacks access to AM broadcast radio; and
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Direct the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to study whether alternative communication systems could fully replicate the reach and effectiveness of AM broadcast radio for alerting the public to emergencies.
“For decades, free AM broadcast radio has been an essential tool in emergencies, a crucial part of our diverse media ecosystem, and an irreplaceable source for news, weather, sports, and entertainment for tens of millions of listeners,” Markey said. “Carmakers shouldn’t tune out AM radio in new vehicles or put it behind a costly digital paywall. I am proud to introduce the AM for Every Vehicle Act to ensure that this resilient and popular communication tool does not become a relic of the past.”
Cruz, who may rarely side with Markey on most political issues, commented, “Each day, millions of Americans turn to AM radio to stay up to date on life in their community, engage on the issues they care about, or to be simply entertained during rush hour. AM radio is a critical bulwark for democracy, providing a platform for alternative viewpoints and the ability for elected officials to share our efforts with our constituents. Congress should act swiftly to pass this bill so Americans retain access to news, music, talk, and emergency alerts on the public airwaves. I’m glad to work with Senator Markey on this bipartisan legislation to ensure carmakers do not limit Texans’ access to radio in their vehicles.”
Speaking for the House Members, Gottheimer said, “I would think that if Elon Musk has enough money to buy Twitter and send rockets to space, he can afford to include AM radio in his Teslas. Instead, Elon Musk and Tesla and other car manufacturers are putting public safety and emergency response at risk. The importance of AM radio during large-scale emergencies cannot be underestimated, and it has, without a doubt and without interruption, saved lives and kept our communities informed. When the cell phone runs out, the internet gets cut off, or the television doesn’t work because of no electricity or power to your house, you can still turn on your AM radio. I’m proud to introduce the bipartisan AM for Every Vehicle Act in the House to ensure that all auto manufacturers include AM radio in their vehicles to protect public safety.”
As Baldwin sees it, “Wisconsinites, particularly those living in our rural and farming communities, rely on AM radio in emergencies, to provide them with their high-quality local news, and to lift up the voices of local businesses, organizations, and people. I am proud to work with my Democratic and Republican colleagues to go to bat for the Americans who want and need AM radio to do their jobs, stay safe, and support their local communities.”
Meanwhile, Fischer commented, “AM radio serves as the backbone of our emergency alert system and remains critical to public safety. Millions of Americans also rely on AM radio to hear the latest local news and weather developments. Our more rural ag communities have a rich history of farm broadcasters, who for generations have helped family farmers and ranchers thrive. Automakers have no right to suddenly drop access to such an essential service, and I look forward to working with my colleagues to pass this important bipartisan legislation.”
Westerman, who says radio plays an essential role in our country, also opined. “Many Arkansans rely on AM broadcast radio for breaking news and entertainment as they make their daily commutes, especially in rural areas where constituents spend a lot of time in their vehicles. In the case of severe weather, something Arkansas is no stranger to, AM radio is critical in updating the public to assure their safety. With this bill, we’re protecting AM broadcast radio by ensuring that automakers continue providing AM radio in new vehicles, cannot impose unnecessary fees or surcharges that would prevent Americans from accessing these vital services in their vehicles, and clearly indicate if any vehicle lacks AM radio capability.”
New Jersey House Member Menendez added, “As more and more Americans adopt electric vehicles, we must ensure that they are equipped with AM radio. AM radio is – and will remain – an essential communications channel for emergency alerts and for disseminating news and other important information to residents of our district and communities across our country. I am proud to co-lead this bipartisan legislation which would ensure that EVs continue to be equipped with this basic but critical capability.”
