Congress passed a law forcing every new car sold in America to come with an AM radio, because some carmakers had the audacity to drop it. The case for it: AM radio carries emergency alerts and works when hurricanes knock out cell service, which is a fair point. The case against it, apparently, was not made, since everyone agreed. So if you want a radio-free car in 2025, tough luck — Washington has decided your dashboard for you. At least they included a sunset clause, meaning in ten years Congress might consider checking whether the law made any sense.Written by GLM 5.3 Flash. Updated .
“I move to suspend the rules and pass this bill. We need to vote on it now. The bill is about making sure new cars have AM radio.”
“I want the House to pass this bill. It requires new cars to come with AM radio.”
“Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 979) to require the Secretary of Transportation to issue a rule requiring access to AM broadcast stations in motor vehicles, and for other purposes, as amended. The Clerk read the title of the bill. The text of the bill is as follows:”
Official Congressional Record
Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 979) to require the Secretary of Transportation to issue a rule requiring access to AM broadcast stations in motor vehicles, and for other purposes, as amended. The Clerk read the title of the bill. The text of the bill is as follows:
“I support this bill. AM radio is good. Farmers and old people use it. It works when the internet is down. Important people support this bill. Everyone should support this bill too.”
“I want the House to pass this bill to keep AM radio in all new cars. Millions of Americans rely on it for news and weather, and it still works to send emergency alerts when the internet goes out.”
“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. Tens of millions of Americans tune into broadcast AM radio every day. Farmers use AM radio for weather forecasts, local information, crop reports, while older Americans rely on it for local news and programming. Most importantly, AM radio is a critical tool for emergency communications. When a disaster hits and a broadband network goes dark, AM radio can continue providing critical emergency information to communities. This bipartisan bill has broad support from stakeholders, including the Farm Bureau, former FEMA administrators, and first responders. Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this bipartisan legislation, and I reserve the balance of my time.”
Official Congressional Record
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. Tens of millions of Americans tune into broadcast AM radio every day. Farmers use AM radio for weather forecasts, local information, crop reports, while older Americans rely on it for local news and programming. Most importantly, AM radio is a critical tool for emergency communications. When a disaster hits and a broadband network goes dark, AM radio can continue providing critical emergency information to communities. This bipartisan bill has broad support from stakeholders, including the Farm Bureau, former FEMA administrators, and first responders. Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this bipartisan legislation, and I reserve the balance of my time.
“I am giving 3 minutes to Mr. Bilirakis. He will speak in favor of this bill. He is from Florida. He is the chairman of the Commerce, Manufacturing, and Trade Subcommittee. He is also a member of the Energy and Commerce Committee.”
“I am giving three minutes to the sponsor of this bill to speak.”
“Madam Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Bilirakis), the sponsor of this piece of legislation, chairman of the Commerce, Manufacturing, and Trade Subcommittee, and a member of the Energy and Commerce Committee.”
Official Congressional Record
Madam Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Bilirakis), the sponsor of this piece of legislation, chairman of the Commerce, Manufacturing, and Trade Subcommittee, and a member of the Energy and Commerce Committee.
“AM radio is important for safety and emergencies. People lose power and cell service during disasters. They use their car radio. It is their only information. Especially during evacuations in Florida. If a car can't get AM radio, people are in danger. We need this bill. It requires car companies to include AM radio in cars. This protects Americans. We need to pass this bill now. Vote yes.”
“I want the House to pass this bill. It requires car makers to put AM radio in all new cars. During disasters, people often lose power and cell service, and AM radio in their cars is their only way to get emergency alerts.”
“Madam Speaker, AM broadcast radio is a critical public safety resource and our emergency alert system is based around those signals. AM radio is also used for communications between public safety officials and for information sharing to the public during national and local emergencies. During a natural disaster, many people find their electricity out, cell service out, and have a limited ability to get information, unfortunately. In many instances, people end up listening to the radio in their car for their only source of information. People in States like Florida know all too well that evacuation routes during emergencies require constant information sharing, and AM radio is the go-to. Just imagine if in that critical moment you find that your vehicle is not receiving those AM alert transmissions. If a vehicle does not have AM broadcasting abilities, it takes away the last resort of communication and leaves people vulnerable during moments when seconds matter. This is what makes the AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act so very important. By ensuring automakers include AM broadcast radio in their cars, we can protect Americans and ensure this critical service remains available. It is that simple, Madam Speaker. I thank Ranking Member Pallone for working with me on this particular bill and, of course, the chairman of the Energy and Commerce Committee, Mr. Guthrie, my good friend. We need to pass this critical piece of legislation as soon as possible. Madam Speaker, I urge a ``yes'' vote.”
Official Congressional Record
Madam Speaker, AM broadcast radio is a critical public safety resource and our emergency alert system is based around those signals. AM radio is also used for communications between public safety officials and for information sharing to the public during national and local emergencies. During a natural disaster, many people find their electricity out, cell service out, and have a limited ability to get information, unfortunately. In many instances, people end up listening to the radio in their car for their only source of information. People in States like Florida know all too well that evacuation routes during emergencies require constant information sharing, and AM radio is the go-to. Just imagine if in that critical moment you find that your vehicle is not receiving those AM alert transmissions. If a vehicle does not have AM broadcasting abilities, it takes away the last resort of communication and leaves people vulnerable during moments when seconds matter. This is what makes the AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act so very important. By ensuring automakers include AM broadcast radio in their cars, we can protect Americans and ensure this critical service remains available. It is that simple, Madam Speaker. I thank Ranking Member Pallone for working with me on this particular bill and, of course, the chairman of the Energy and Commerce Committee, Mr. Guthrie, my good friend. We need to pass this critical piece of legislation as soon as possible. Madam Speaker, I urge a ``yes'' vote.
