WASHINGTON, D.C. — Legislation aimed at ensuring AM radio remains a standard feature in all new motor vehicles has cleared a major hurdle in Congress, passing the U.S. House of Representatives with unanimous support and moving to the Senate for consideration.
The AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act passed the House with strong backing from the Hoosier State, co-sponsored by eight of Indiana’s nine House members.
Bipartisan Senate Momentum
The companion legislation in the U.S. Senate is authored by Senators Ted Cruz (R-Texas) and Ed Markey (D-Mass.). Both of Indiana’s U.S. senators have signed on as co-sponsors, reflecting broad bipartisan agreement over the cultural, economic, and safety importance of AM broadcasting.
Supporters argue that keeping AM radio in modern dashboards is essential for public safety, as the spectrum serves as a backbone for the Emergency Alert System (EAS) and National Public Warning System, particularly during natural disasters, severe weather events, and power outages when cellular networks and internet infrastructure may fail.
Indiana Broadcasters Play Central Role
Broadcasters across Indiana have been at the forefront of the advocacy campaign to preserve the band as auto manufacturers increasingly evaluate phasing out AM receivers—citing electrical interference from electric vehicle (EV) powertrains.
“We’ve been working on passage of this important radio bill for almost three years, with Indiana providing a key witness when Woof Boom Radio’s J Chapman testified in support of the AM bill in the House Energy and Commerce Committee,” said Dave Arland, Executive Director of the Indiana Broadcasters Association (IBA). “We are delighted that the bill finally reached the floor and was unanimously approved. Now the hunt is on for a good vehicle for this legislation in the remaining days of the U.S. Senate calendar this year.”
If passed by the Senate and signed into law, the measure would direct the Department of Transportation to issue rules requiring automaker compliance without imposing additional subscription fees or direct charges on car buyers.
