WASHINGTON, D.C. — The U.S. House passed legislation Tuesday that would require automakers to provide access to AM broadcast radio as standard equipment in new vehicles at no additional cost to consumers.
The House passed H.R. 979, the AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act, by voice vote Sept. 15. The legislation now heads to the Senate.
U.S. Rep. Josh Gottheimer, D-N.J., who co-led an earlier version of the legislation in 2023, supported the bill’s passage. That earlier measure also sought to require automakers to maintain AM radio access in new vehicles without charging an additional fee.
“AM radio is a lifeline. When the power goes out, when the cell towers go down, and when the Internet cuts off during a storm or an emergency, AM radio is often the only way families can get the life-saving information they need,” said Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5). “It’s outrageous that some automakers want to rip out a basic, free feature — one that helps keep people safe — just to pad their own bottom line. I’m proud to have helped lead this bipartisan bill from day one, and today the House stood up for every driver, every first responder, and every family who counts on AM radio when it matters most.”
The legislation directs the U.S. Department of Transportation to issue a rule requiring automakers to include devices capable of receiving AM broadcast stations in new passenger vehicles as standard equipment without a separate or additional charge.
Supporters of the legislation have cited AM radio’s role in distributing emergency information, particularly when internet or cellular networks are disrupted. The House Energy and Commerce Committee said tens of millions of Americans use AM radio and described it as an important tool for emergency communications when broadband networks are unavailable.
“For more than 100 years, AM radio stations have provided music, sports, news, and entertainment to listeners across the Garden State and the country. More importantly over the last century, radio has provided a critical lifeline in times of emergency. Ensuring that this free service utilizing the public’s airwaves is readily available in every vehicle sold in the United States by passing the AM Radio For Every Vehicle Act is the right decision for public safety,” said New Jersey Broadcasters Association (NJBA) Executive Director Jordan Walton. “It’s hard to imagine that what started as a conversation over a cup of coffee has evolved into this legislation being passed with overwhelming bipartisan support. New Jersey’s broadcasters thank Rep. Gottheimer, leaders in the House, and all who advanced AM4EVA today.”
Gottheimer first helped introduce the AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act in May 2023 after some automakers began removing AM radio from electric vehicles. The 2023 legislation was introduced with U.S. Reps. Tom Kean Jr., Rob Menendez, Bruce Westerman and Marie Gluesenkamp Perez.
Gottheimer has also called on the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to take action related to AM radio access in vehicles.
The National Association of Broadcasters praised Tuesday’s House action and said it would continue working with lawmakers as the legislation moves to the Senate.
