U.S. House E&C Committee To Mark Up AM Radio Act

Representative Brett Guthrie (KY-02), Chairman of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, announced that the full committee will hold a markup on seven bills Wednesday, September 17, including H.R. 979, the AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act of 2025. The legislation, sponsored by Reps. Frank Pallone Jr. (D-NJ) and Gus Bilirakis (R-FL), would require automakers to include AM broadcast radio as standard equipment in all new passenger vehicles.

The measure is designed to address concerns that some manufacturers, particularly in the electric vehicle sector, are removing AM radio technology from new models. Supporters argue that AM radio remains a vital tool for delivering local programming and critical emergency alerts.Key Provisions

• Mandated Access: The Department of Transportation (DOT) would be required to issue rules making AM broadcast radio a standard feature in all passenger vehicles.
• Consumer Protections: Automakers could not charge extra for AM access, and vehicles sold before the rule’s effective date must be clearly labeled if they do not include AM radio.
• Emergency Communications: The Government Accountability Office (GAO) would conduct a study on AM’s role in emergency alerting and whether alternatives can replicate its reach.
• Sunset Clause: The legislation includes a 10-year sunset provision, a concession to automakers and technology advocates who have resisted a permanent mandate.

The AM Radio in Every Vehicle Act has broad bipartisan support, with nearly 300 co-sponsors in the House and more than 60 in the Senate, making it filibuster-proof. The bill passed the Senate Commerce Committee in July 2023 and cleared the House Energy and Commerce Committee in September 2024 but stalled before reaching final passage.

Last year, Kentucky Senator Rand Paul objected to a voice vote, tying the bill’s progress to debates over electric vehicle subsidies. The delay pushed the measure into the current Congress, where it is once again moving forward.

Broadcasters and industry advocates, including the National Association of Broadcasters, stress AM radio’s role in public safety. They point to instances such as Superstorm Sandy, when New Jersey residents relied on AM signals for essential information after power outages.

Not all stakeholders agree. The Consumer Technology Association (CTA), which represents electronics manufacturers and produces the CES trade show, has testified against a federal mandate, arguing that Congress should not dictate technical requirements for automakers.