GoKawiilHouse passes bill requiring free AM radio in all new vehicles
The House of Representatives voted with strong bipartisan support to pass the AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act, which would direct the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to require automakers include AM radio in new cars, trucks and SUVs at no extra cost. The measure now moves to the Senate, where a companion bill co-sponsored by Sens. Ed Markey and Ted Cruz already has 60 co-sponsors, enough to survive a filibuster.
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Several automakers have been dropping AM radio from newer models, especially electric vehicles, citing interference issues, prompting pushback from broadcasters and emergency-management officials who say the technology remains vital for disaster alerts due to its long signal range. If enacted, the law would override those design decisions industry-wide, adding a federal mandate to vehicle manufacturing at a time when automakers are already navigating costly regulatory requirements around emissions and safety tech.
- The House passed the AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act with rare bipartisan backing.
- The bill would force automakers to include AM radio in new vehicles at no added cost.
- A Senate companion bill already has 60 co-sponsors, positioning it to pass despite a filibuster threat.
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Published there as: “US automakers could soon be forced to include AM radio for free”
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