Support for the AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act is growing quickly in Washington. In just the first two weeks of May, 19 additional members of the U.S. House of Representatives signed on as co-sponsors of the bipartisan legislation. The bill, which would mandate that all new vehicles sold in the U.S. include AM radio receivers at no added cost, is being promoted as a public safety measure.
With this latest wave of support, the House version now boasts 175 co-sponsors. This builds on the strong backing already seen in the Senate, where the bill has surpassed the threshold for a filibuster-proof majority—marking a clear sign of bipartisan consensus and increasing the chances of action this summer.
Among the new House co-sponsors is Rep. Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ), who initially introduced the legislation in 2023. He is joined by lawmakers from both sides of the aisle, including Rep. Pete Stauber (R-MN), Rep. Mary Gay Scanlon (D-PA), Rep. Nancy Mace (R-SC), and Rep. Paul Gosar (R-AZ). Their support reflects a growing recognition of AM radio’s continued value, particularly in emergency communications.
While the current week in Washington is expected to focus on the contentious budget reconciliation process ahead of the Memorial Day recess, no votes on the AM Act are anticipated until after June 2. That sets the stage for the legislation to become a focus during the summer session, where momentum could translate into meaningful progress.
A broad coalition is working to keep the bill front and center. The National Association of Broadcasters, FEMA, first responder groups, and various public interest organizations continue to highlight AM radio’s critical role during emergencies, blackouts, and natural disasters. These advocates argue that no other platform matches AM’s reliability and reach when cellular networks and internet connections fail.
Some electric vehicle manufacturers have argued that AM tuners create interference due to EV drivetrains. However, lawmakers and engineers alike note that technological workarounds are already available and being used in certain models. Supporters of the bill maintain that removing AM from dashboards would strip millions of Americans—especially in rural and underserved communities—of free access to essential information, local news, and cultural programming.
As Congress returns in June, proponents are hoping to translate this growing support into legislative action before the summer session concludes.