This week, Congressman Dan Meuser (PA-09) cosponsored H.R. 979, the AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act.
This bipartisan legislation would recognize that AM radio is an essential communication tool during emergencies, and for decades has been a source of news, entertainment, sports, and music for tens of millions of drivers. As such, the legislation directs the Department of Transportation to require automakers to include AM broadcast radio installed as standard equipment in new motor vehicles, ensuring access to AM broadcast stations in every car at no additional cost.
“Across Pennsylvania and the nation, AM radio is a crucial source of information, entertainment, and emergency alerts,” said Congressman Meuser. “In rural areas, especially during natural disasters, AM radio is often the only reliable way to stay informed when internet or cell service is unavailable. This bill ensures that drivers can continue to rely on AM radio in their vehicles to remain prepared and up to date. I’m pleased to cosponsor this bipartisan legislation and look forward to voting for it when it comes to the House Floor.”
Specifically, the AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act of 2025 would:
- Direct the Department of Transportation, in consultation with the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the Federal Communications Commission, to issue a rule that requires automakers to maintain AM broadcast radio devices as standard equipment in their vehicles in a way that is easily accessible for consumers, and without a separate or additional payment, fee, or surcharge, all while providing extra compliance time for small manufacturers;
- Require any automaker that sells vehicles without access to AM broadcast radio before the effective date of the rule to clearly disclose to consumers that the vehicle lacks access to AM broadcast radio; and,
- Direct the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to study the importance of AM radio as a communication technology during emergencies, whether a reliable alternative communication system exists for delivering emergency alerts, and consider the cost to drivers of receiving communications through an alternative system, and cost and time required to develop and implement an alternative.
