HOUSE PASSES AM RADIO FOR EVERY VEHICLE ACT; ADVOCACY EFFORTS SHIFT TO SENATE
In a very positive development for the radio industry, on Tuesday night the U.S. House of Representatives passed, by a voice vote, the AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act, H.R. 979. As broadcasters are well aware, the House version of the legislation—which would direct the Secretary of Transportation to issue a rule requiring that for approximately the next eight years AM radio be installed as standard equipment in vehicles manufactured in the U.S. or imported into the country—has overwhelming bipartisan support, with more than 315 co-sponsors in the House, including all 14 Representatives from the North Carolina delegation.
NAB was quick to applaud Tuesday’s vote. “[Tuesday’s] decisive House passage of the AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act is a significant step forward for the millions of Americans who rely on AM radio for lifesaving emergency information, trusted news and a vital connection to their communities,” NAB President Curtis LeGeyt said in a statement. “America’s broadcasters are deeply grateful to House leadership, lead cosponsors Reps. Bilirakis and Pallone and the overwhelming bipartisan coalition that made today’s vote possible.”
Advocacy efforts now turn to the Senate, where the legislation (S. 315) also has overwhelming, bipartisan support, with 60 co-sponsors. The Senate Commerce Committee approved the legislation back in April 2025; the next logical step would be for the bill to make its way to the Senate floor. Whether that will happen this Congress remains to be seen, but broadcasters will be working hard to see that it does.
THIS REPORT FURNISHED WHKP BY THE NCAB iNORTH CAROLINA ASSOCIATION OF BROADCASTERS)
