NYC Radio: John Cats Urges Passage of Senate Bill with No Sunset

John Catsimatidis

By a vote of 50 to one, The House Energy & Commerce Committee passed The AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act (HR979). The legislation stops automakers’ plans to remove free AM Radio receivers from cars and forces listeners to pay for all audio services.

John Catsimatidis, Owner and CEO of Red Apple Media and AM station 77WABC, New York, stated:

“77WABC and all AM radio stations across the country provide life-saving information and emergency alerts to the public. While the committee’s action may be a step forward, a ridiculous last minute change sunsets the law in eight years. AM is the backbone of the emergency alert system and tornados, hurricanes, and other disasters won’t go away.

“The absurd eight-year sunset harms all Americans. Three hundred members of the House and 61 senators supported the bill without an eight-year sunset. Politics aside, Congress should not compromise on citizens receiving critical news from AM stations. The sunset must go.

“I want to thank House Energy & Commerce Chairman Brett Guthrie (R, KY), Ranking Democrat Frank Pallone (I, NJ), and Gus Bilirakis (R, FL) for shepherding the bill through the committee.

“As the bill moves forward, I urge Congressional leaders and the President to pass the Senate’s bill (S.315), which is far superior, and protects the American public.”