Lizzie Fletcher

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Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 979, the AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act, bipartisan legislation that Ranking Member Pallone introduced with Commerce, Manufacturing, and Trade Subcommittee Chairman Bilirakis of Florida. As Chairman Guthrie just noted, tens of millions of Americans listen to AM radio every day. Americans tune in to listen to the news, sports, weather, and more, often while driving. AM radio also plays a critical role during emergencies. AM stations are an important distribution for emergency alerts, and there is a network of AM broadcast stations specifically designed to withstand major weather events and other disasters. These stations act as primary entry points for the Nation's Emergency Alert System, and the Federal Emergency Management Agency invests millions of dollars every year to keep those AM stations ready to broadcast in emergencies. Given how important AM radio is, especially in times of emergency, we cannot risk removing it from our vehicles, which multiple automakers have done. This bill, the AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act, recognizes the essential role of AM radio and ensures that consumers will continue to have AM radio available in their vehicles. It directs the Secretary of Transportation to issue a rule that requires vehicle manufacturers to install equipment to receive AM radio signals in all new passenger cars made or sold in the United States. The AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act will preserve access to critical information provided over AM radio during times of emergency, as well as access to the stations Americans know and love during times of safety. Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support it, and I reserve the balance of my time.