In a rare display of cross-party unity amid a fractious political landscape, the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) is hailing an “August Surge” of support for the AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act, a bill aimed at preserving AM radio as a standard safety feature in all new automobiles. As automakers like Tesla, BMW, and Ford increasingly phase out AM tuners from electric and hybrid models due to electromagnetic interference concerns, the legislation has gained significant traction on Capitol Hill. With 280 cosponsors in the House and 61 in the Senate – a filibuster-proof supermajority – the bill is poised for potential advancement, even as lawmakers navigate a crowded fall agenda dominated by budget battles and the looming September 30 government funding deadline.
The surge in support comes at an opportune time for broadcasters, who argue that AM radio remains an indispensable tool for emergency alerts, local news, and community programming. During the annual August recess, 20 additional House members from both parties, spanning states from California to Georgia, pledged their backing. The latest additions, announced on September 2, include Rep. Ryan Patrick (D-NY) and Rep. Nicholas Begich (R-AK), pushing the House total to 280. This atypical momentum for summer legislation underscores the bill’s broad appeal, particularly in rural and disaster-prone areas where AM signals can travel vast distances and function without power or internet.
NAB President and CEO Curtis LeGeyt praised the growing bipartisan coalition in a statement released Thursday. “We thank the growing, bipartisan group of lawmakers standing up for their constituents who depend on AM radio,” LeGeyt said. “This support demonstrates a deep understanding that AM radio remains an essential lifeline for emergency alerts, local news, and community connection. With significant momentum behind this bill, NAB urges House leadership to bring it to the floor without delay and preserve this vital service for the American public.”
The Act, reintroduced in the 119th Congress as H.R. 979 and S. 315, would require the Department of Transportation to issue a rule mandating AM receivers in all passenger vehicles manufactured or imported into the U.S. after a set effective date, typically two to three years post-enactment. Until then, manufacturers must clearly label vehicles lacking AM access and cannot charge extra for it. The bill also directs the Government Accountability Office to study AM radio’s role in emergency communications compared to alternatives like cell alerts. Small automakers producing fewer than 40,000 vehicles annually, such as Rivian and Lucid, would receive extended compliance timelines.
Proponents emphasize AM’s critical role in public safety. During last year’s devastating Hurricane Helene, which claimed 227 lives and caused widespread blackouts, AM stations were among the few reliable sources of information when cell towers and internet failed. FEMA continues to rely on AM as the backbone of the Emergency Alert System, reaching over 82 million monthly listeners, many in underserved communities. Agricultural broadcasters, immigrant-focused stations, and religious programmers also highlight AM’s niche value, providing in-language content and farm reports that streaming alternatives often overlook.
Opposition from automakers centers on technical challenges. Electric vehicles’ high-voltage systems generate interference that distorts AM signals, leading companies like Volkswagen, Volvo, and Polestar to remove the feature. Ford has extended the removal to gas models, citing low usage – less than 5% of in-car listening per their data – and the availability of online streaming via apps. Critics like Rep. John James (R-MI) call the mandate an “unfunded, unnecessary” burden, arguing modern systems like the Integrated Public Alert and Warning System (IPAWS) deliver alerts via cell, digital radio, and satellites more effectively. A 2023 EAS test showed only 1% of alerts received via AM, compared to 95% via cell phones.
Despite these hurdles, the bill’s progress reflects NAB’s aggressive advocacy, including public service announcements urging listeners to text “AM” to Congress. Over 125 organizations, from AARP to the American Farm Bureau Federation, have endorsed it, amplifying its reach. The NAB’s “Depend on AM” campaign has mobilized stations to air spots in English and Spanish, emphasizing AM’s resilience in crises.
Yet, the bill faces a packed congressional calendar. In the House, it awaits action from the Energy and Commerce Committee, chaired by Rep. Brett Guthrie (R-KY). The Senate version, led by Sens. Ed Markey (D-MA) and Ted Cruz (R-TX), needs scheduling by Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD). Complicating matters is the September 30 funding expiration, with lawmakers divided on next steps. Senate Republicans advocate bipartisan bills to extend funding into 2026, avoiding repeated shutdown threats. House leadership eyes a short-term resolution pushing operations into November, but the White House pushes for a longer extension to stabilize budgeting.
The rescission follows a July clawback that defunded the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, impacting NPR and PBS. Trump’s move, defended by OMB Director Russell Vought as aligning with “America First” priorities, has divided Senate Republicans and stalled funding talks. A White House official insisted it’s on “firm legal ground,” citing precedents from Presidents Ford and Carter, but the GAO deems pocket rescissions unlawful. With funding set to lapse, any short-term resolution could prolong distractions, drawing focus from priorities like the AM bill.
As autumn unfolds, the AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act stands as a beacon of bipartisan progress in a divided Congress. If advanced swiftly, it could safeguard a century-old technology vital to millions. But with budgetary chaos looming, its fate hinges on lawmakers prioritizing public safety over partisan gridlock. For rural drivers tuning into weather updates or urban commuters seeking emergency broadcasts, the stakes couldn’t be higher. NAB vows to keep the pressure on, reminding all that when modern tech fails, AM radio endures.
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