The AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act has been introduced in the Senate. Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX), who is now the Chairman of the Senate Commerce Committee, and Ed Markey (D-MA) have reintroduced the bill in the Senate.
The legislation mirrors last year’s bill and would require automakers to keep AM radio receivers in their dashboards. This bill had more than 60 co-sponsors in the Senate and 270 co-sponsors in the House. Last year, the legislation was excluded from the continuing resolution reached at the very end of the 118th Congress. As a result, the bill has to be reintroduced in the 119th session and go through the entire legislative process once again.
In his press release, Sen. Markey stated:
“As we witness more tragic climate change-induced disasters like the wildfires in Los Angeles, broadcast AM radio continues to be a critical tool for communication. AM radio is a lifeline for people across the country for news, sports, and especially emergency information,” said Senator Markey. “Tens of millions of listeners across the country have made clear that they want AM radio to remain in their vehicles. Our AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act heeds their words and ensures that this essential tool doesn’t get lost on the dial.”
These concerns were echoed by Sen. Cruz:
“During weather disasters or power outages, AM radio is consistently the most reliable form of communication and is critical to keep millions of Texans safe. AM radio has long been a haven for people to express differing viewpoints, allowing free speech and our robust democratic process to flourish for decades. I am honored to once again partner with Sen. Markey on this bipartisan legislation on behalf of our constituents who depend on AM radio and public airwaves for access to news, music, talk, and emergency alerts.”
Of course, the opposition remains. Automakers do not want to keep free AM radio in their electric vehicles. The Consumer Technology Association also opposes the bill.
We are waiting for the bill to be reintroduced in the House of Representatives. NYSBA strongly supports the AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act. It will be a cornerstone of our lobbying efforts when we travel to Washington, DC, next month.
The text of the bill can be found here.
The press release from Sen. Ed Markey can be found here.