The AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act is closer than ever to becoming law as 2025 ends, with House Republican leaders committing to an early 2026 floor vote and the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) pushing for Senate action amid procedural hurdles.
In a recent NAB Podcast, Senior Vice President of Government Relations Nicole Gustafson outlined the path forward, stressing that continued grassroots advocacy from broadcasters is key to securing passage in the current Congress. She noted three senators have placed objections blocking unanimous consent in the Senate, forcing proponents to seek scarce floor time or attach the bill to must-pass legislation.
The bipartisan measure, dubbed "AM Forever," would mandate AM radio as a no-cost standard feature in all new U.S. vehicles, citing its critical role in public safety and emergency alerts when other systems fail.
Despite overwhelming support — including near-unanimous committee approvals this fall and commitments from Speaker Mike Johnson and other House leaders — procedural delays and congressional gridlock have stalled final votes. A government funding showdown in September further jammed the legislative calendar.
Introduced nearly three years ago, it rapidly built a diverse coalition: 316 House co-sponsors in the prior Congress, broad Senate backing led by unlikely allies Sens. Ted Cruz (R-TX) and Ed Markey (D-MA), and endorsements from groups like AARP, the Heritage Foundation, labor unions, first responders, and emergency agencies.
Gustafson called it a "master class in legislating," fueled by local stations airing PSAs and urging listener outreach to lawmakers. She highlighted AM's reliability in disasters, such as one lawmaker adding support after Hurricane Helene.
As 2026 begins, Gustafson urged broadcasters to keep pressing representatives, emphasizing that local advocacy drives Washington successes: "We’ve laid the groundwork this year. With your help, we can finish the job next year."