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 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.”
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, 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 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.
“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”
Official Congressional Record
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
