The House debated H.R. 979, the AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act, which directs the Department of Transportation to require AM radio as standard equipment in all new passenger vehicles, with labels and fee restrictions for cars made before the rule takes effect and an expiration of the rule after 10 years. Members from both parties spoke in support, saying AM radio remains widely used for news, weather, and farm reports, and that it is a key way people receive emergency alerts when power and cell service are out during disasters. Supporters including the bill’s sponsor, Gus Bilirakis, and Debbie Dingell described it as a bipartisan compromise and noted the sunset date lets Congress revisit the issue as technology changes. The bill was brought up under a motion to suspend the rules.Written by AI from the debate. Updated .
“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 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 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.
“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.
