The AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act (H.R. 979 in the House and S. 315 in the Senate) hascleared a major hurdle in the House with a voice vote during a full markup session of the Energy and Commerce Committee.
This advances it to the House floor for a full vote, potentially as early as late September or early October, amid budget deadlines.
The committee approval came after a long docket focused on health and tech issues, with Rep. Frank Pallone (D-NJ) emphasizing AM's unmatched reliability for public safety.
A key amendment was added to address automaker concerns: It provides more flexibility in implementation timelines and eases some technical requirements for electric vehicles (EVs), where interference has been an issue. This compromise was praised by broadcasters but drew quiet opposition from music industry lobbyists pushing for performance royalties on radio.
➤House: 296 cosponsors (surpassing two-thirds of the chamber, up from 270 in the 118th Congress). Sponsored by Reps. Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) and Pallone.
➤Senate: 61 cosponsors (filibuster-proof majority). Sponsored by Sens. Ted Cruz (R-TX) and Ed Markey (D-MA). It was reported out of the Senate Commerce Committee on February 5, 2025, and placed on the legislative calendar. Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) is urged to schedule a vote soon.
If passed by both chambers in 2025, DOT would finalize the rule in 2026. The NAB is running PSAs encouraging listeners to text "AM" to 39179 to contact lawmakers.
While support is overwhelming, automakers like Ford and GM have cited EV interference costs (estimated at a few million dollars annually), though most vehicles already include FM. No major opposition has stalled progress, but floor timing could slip due to fiscal priorities. On X (formerly Twitter), broadcasters and advocates celebrated the committee win, with posts highlighting its public safety benefits.
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