Baldwin-Backed Bill to Keep AM Radio Available in New Vehicles Builds Bipartisan Momentum

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) joined Senators Ed Markey (D-MA) and Ted Cruz (R-TX) in announcing the AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act now has bipartisan support from 60 members of the Senate. Their legislation would direct the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to require automakers to maintain AM broadcast radio in their new vehicles at no additional charge. The House legislation has 246 co-sponsors, as well.

“Wisconsinites across the state, but particularly in our rural and farming communities, rely on AM radio to provide them with emergency updates and high-quality local news,” said Senator Baldwin. “I am glad to work with my Democratic and Republican colleagues to go to bat for the Americans who want and need AM radio to do their jobs, stay safe, and support their local communities.”

Specifically, the AM for Every Vehicle Act would:

• Direct the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to issue a rule that requires automakers to maintain AM broadcast radio in their vehicles without a separate or additional payment, fee, or surcharge;
• Require any automaker that sells vehicles without access to AM broadcast radio before the effective date of the NHTSA regulation to clearly disclose to consumers that the vehicle lacks access to AM broadcast radio; and
• Direct the Government Accountability Office to study whether alternative communication systems could fully replicate the reach and effectiveness of AM broadcast radio for alerting the public to emergencies.

A full list of co-sponsors is available here.

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