Congress wants to keep AM radio in every new car

In the era of streaming music and satellite radio, traditional broadcast stations are easy to overlook. AM radio, in particular, has fallen out of favor with younger drivers. So it’s perhaps no surprise that some automakers have begun dropping it from new vehicles. Congress, however, wants to put a stop to that. Last month, the U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 979, the “AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act of 2025.” The bill is now on the Senate’s legislative calendar and has broad bipartisan support. The Senate also has a companion bill, S. 315, which cleared committee last year and is awaiting a floor vote. While AM radio is dominated by political talk shows, religious programming, and sports, it still draws a sizable audience. The National Association of Broadcasters (NAB), which supports the congressional effort, says more than 80 million Americans listen to AM each month. The group describes AM radio as “a platform for locally produced content that is relevant to their audience and speaks to their unique cultural and linguistic needs.” It also notes that AM stations have historically provided an entry point into radio ownership for racial and ethnic minorities. Automakers,…