WASHINGTON, D.C. (RFD News) — A bill that would keep AM radio in new vehicles is headed to the Senate after passing the House earlier this week.
Rep. Brett Guthrie of Kentucky says AM radio remains an important resource for rural communities.
“Tens of millions of Americans tune in to broadcast AM radio every day. Farmers use AM radio for weather forecasts, local information, crop reports, while older Americans rely on it for local news and programming. Most importantly, AM radio is a critical tool for emergency communications. When a disaster hits and a broadband network goes dark, AM radio can continue providing critical emergency information to communities.”
Florida Rep. Gus Bilirakis also urged his colleagues to keep pressure on automakers, saying access to AM radio is especially important during emergencies when power outages can leave people with fewer ways to stay informed.
“In many instances, people end up listening to the radio in their car for their only source of information. People in states like Florida know all too well that evacuation routes during emergencies require constant information sharing and AM radio is the go-to. Just imagine if in that critical moment you find that your vehicle is not receiving those AM alert transmissions. If a vehicle does not have AM broadcasting abilities, it takes away the last resort of communication and leaves people vulnerable during moments where seconds matter.”
Supporters say AM radio has a long-standing role as a dependable source of information, while automakers have argued the technology is outdated and underused.
