AM Radio and legislation updates....

The campaign to secure AM radio’s future in the U.S. vehicle dashboard has cleared another key hurdle. With 12 additional lawmakers signing on late Friday, the AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act now holds 228 co-sponsors in the House of Representatives, including two non-voting delegates, surpassing the simple majority threshold of 218.

The House bill, led by Reps. Gus Bilirakis (R., Fla.) and Frank Pallone (D., N.J.), has seen a rapid expansion of bipartisan support since May. The Senate version of the bill advanced out of committee earlier this year and now holds 61 co-sponsors – enough to clear a filibuster if brought to a floor vote.

NAB President Curtis LeGeyt praised the bicameral majority, saying, “Securing 218 cosponsors in the U.S. House of Representatives, alongside a filibuster-proof 61 cosponsors in the Senate, marks a pivotal milestone for the AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act and underscores AM radio’s enduring value to the American people.”

The legislation would require all automakers to include AM radio receivers in new passenger vehicles sold in the U.S., framing the feature as a public safety necessity tied to the country’s Emergency Alert System. Supporters have emphasized AM radio’s role in FEMA’s Integrated Public Alert and Warning System, which relies on 77 high-powered Primary Entry Point AM stations capable of reaching over 90% of Americans even if internet or cellular networks fail during disasters.

Despite its growing roster of supporters, the House measure remains bottled up in committee. It currently sits in the Subcommittee on Highways and Transit. LeGeyt added, “We look forward to continuing our work with the Energy and Commerce Committee and House leadership to advance this bill without delay.”

In the Senate, scheduling remains uncertain. Majority Leader John Thune (R., S.D.) has yet to set a date for consideration, with other priorities crowding the chamber’s summer calendar. Budget reconciliation talks and rising tensions with Iran have taken center stage as Congress returns from the Juneteenth recess.

Lawmakers are expected to work through this week before adjourning for the July 4 holiday, leaving only a short window for legislative movement ahead of the August recess. (https://rbr.com/house-majority-coalesces-behind-am-radio-bill/) as reported on 6/22/2025