What they said. What they meant.

“I want to talk about this bill. AM radio is good. Many Americans use it. They listen to news, sports, weather, and more. AM radio is important in emergencies. AM stations can work when the weather is bad. They are part of our emergency alert system. The government spends money on AM stations. Some car companies don't put AM radios in new cars. This bill would make all new cars have AM radios. That's important for emergencies and for what people like to listen to. I want my colleagues to vote for this bill.”

“I want the House to pass this bill. It requires car makers to include AM radios in all new passenger vehicles. Millions of Americans listen to AM radio, and it is a key way people get emergency alerts during disasters.”

“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.”

“I support this bill. I have worked in the car business. I like cars. This bill makes all new cars have AM radio. AM radio gives emergency information. Especially in disasters. We also have a sunset provision. Maybe Congress will check later if this is still needed. Technology changes. This bill is a compromise. People worked hard on it. Everyone should vote for it.”

“I support this compromise bill. It requires all new cars to have AM radio so people can get emergency alerts during natural disasters. It also includes an end date, which lets Congress take another look at the rule later as technology changes.”

“Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of this strong compromise to H.R. 979, the AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act. We have worked on this effort for years, so I thank Chair Guthrie, Ranking Member Pallone, Chairman Bilirakis, and all of my colleagues who have worked diligently to find common ground and move this legislation forward. I also thank the broadcasters and the car companies and everybody else who has been part of a lot of tough discussions. I have spent my life at the heart of the American auto industry, and cars have always been a core part of who I am. I understand both the importance of making sure consumers have access to critical information and the importance of getting Federal policy right as technology continues to evolve. AM radio remains an important tool for communities across the country, especially when it comes to delivering lifesaving information during emergencies and natural disasters. Consumers need to have reliable access to those alerts, but we also have to recognize that technology changes. That is why I believe the compromise before us today strikes the correct balance. This bill mandates AM radio in every new car, but it also includes a sunset provision recognizing that Congress should reassess the mandates as technology evolves. If AM radio continues to provide value in the future, Congress can and should act again. It strengthens compliance timelines, ensuring that consumers have reliable”