Legislation Preserving AM Radio In Vehicles

The AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act has reached a key milestone, with more than half of the U.S. House of Representatives now cosponsoring the bipartisan legislation aimed at preserving AM radio access in vehicles across the country. The bill, which already enjoys filibuster-proof support in the Senate with 61 cosponsors, now has 218 cosponsors in the House.

The legislation mandates that AM radio receivers be included in all new vehicles sold in the United States, ensuring continued public access to a medium long relied upon for emergency alerts, local news, and community information.

National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) President and CEO Curtis LeGeyt praised the growing support in a statement Monday: “Securing 218 cosponsors in the U.S. House of Representatives, alongside a filibuster-proof 61 cosponsors in the Senate, marks a pivotal milestone for the AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act and underscores AM radio’s enduring value to the American people.”

LeGeyt emphasized AM radio’s historic role as a critical communication tool: “For more than a century, AM radio has been a lifeline, delivering trusted news, local sports, crop reports and emergency information when and where it matters most. From rural communities to urban centers, from first responders to everyday commuters, over 80 million Americans rely on this free, local service to stay informed and safe every month.”

The NAB also thanked Representatives Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) and Frank Pallone (D-NJ) for leading the legislative effort in the House, and noted its ongoing collaboration with the Energy and Commerce Committee and House leadership to move the bill forward.

The Senate version of the bill is championed by Sens. Ted Cruz (R-TX) and Ed Markey (D-MA), and has earned the endorsement of more than 125 organizations, including the National Emergency Management Association, American Farm Bureau Federation, AARP, Native Public Media, SAG-AFTRA, and the National Association of Black Owned Broadcasters.

If enacted, the legislation would mark a significant policy step to protect free and local broadcast radio amid rapid shifts toward digital infotainment systems in new vehicles.