House Passes AM Radio Bill

The U.S. House of Representatives has passed legislation aimed at keeping AM radio available in new vehicles.

The House approved the bipartisan AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act by voice vote Tuesday evening. The bill would require automakers to provide access to AM broadcast stations in new passenger vehicles without charging an additional fee.

Supporters of the legislation have emphasized AM radio’s role in emergency communications, as well as its importance to rural communities for local news, weather, agricultural information and other programming.

The legislation now moves to the Senate, where companion bill S. 315 has more than 60 bipartisan cosponsors. The Senate Commerce Committee previously advanced the measure, but it still needs approval from the full Senate before it can be sent to the president.

The National Association of Broadcasters called Tuesday’s House passage a significant step and said it will continue working with Senate sponsors to advance the legislation.