Pending Business: NAB Pushes For AM Radio Act

The AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act is gaining traction in a lame-duck Congress. The bill aims to require carmakers to keep AM radio in dashboards, citing its importance for emergency alerts and public safety. With a filibuster-proof majority of 63 Senators and 268 House members co-sponsoring the bill, it has strong bipartisan support.

There are two main strategies being considered to pass the bill. One is to attach it to must-pass legislation, such as government funding bills or disaster relief efforts. The other is to wait until the newly-elected Congress takes office in January, when Republicans will hold the majority in both chambers.

The National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) is actively working with congressional leaders to find the best path forward. However, the auto industry is lobbying against the requirement, citing interference issues between electric vehicle batteries and AM signals.

If passed, the bill would require the Secretary of Transportation to issue a rule mandating access to AM broadcast stations in motor vehicles. Automakers would have at least two years to comply, with smaller manufacturers given up to four years.