The longest federal government shutdown in US history is over. After 43 days that left more than 80% of FCC staff furloughed, the agency is racing to clear a massive backlog while Congress is already moving again on legislation to preserve AM radio in vehicles.
The Commission issued new guidance Thursday morning about extended filing deadlines and Special Temporary Authority expirations. All submissions originally due between October 1 and November 17 now have until at least Tuesday, November 18, with additional extensions expected for specific systems, including the Universal Licensing System and Equipment Authorization System.
Citing the “unprecedented length of the shutdown,” officials said staff would “work in good faith” with filers to resolve complications from delayed submissions. The agency formally waived its rules to implement the extensions and automatically renewed Special Temporary Authorities set to expire during the closure, except those tied to auction-related activities.
The FCC urged filers to limit submissions to those requiring immediate authority and avoid seeking separate relief for missed deadlines until further instructions arrive. As of Thursday morning, the Licensing and Management System used by broadcasters remained completely unavailable.
Roughly 19% of FCC staff were classified as essential during the 43-day government shutdown. More than 1.4 million federal employees affected by the lapse in funding are expected to begin receiving back pay as soon as Sunday, with others to follow by Wednesday, November 19, per a memo from the White House Office of Management and Budget.
The closure also froze several high-profile proceedings crucial to radio, including the 2022 Quadrennial Review of media ownership rules and Emergency Alert System modernization efforts. How quickly these begin to thaw likely depends on the pace of operational recovery.
While the agency restarts its engines, Congress is accelerating action on the AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act. After clearing the House Energy and Commerce Committee with a 50-1 vote before the shutdown, the legislation now appears to be on a fast track.
As of Wednesday, the bill was discharged by the Transportation and Homeland Security Committees and placed on the Union Calendar, clearing the path for a full House vote. The decision to skip additional committee review signals House leadership’s intent to move quickly.
Not even the shutdown could stall bipartisan momentum for the AM Act, driven partly by recent decisions from Tesla to discontinue FM, not just AM, radio in its base models and by an unprecedented grassroots push. According to the National Association of Broadcasters, more than one million Americans have contacted their legislators supporting the measure. The bill now has backing from more than 315 House members and 61 Senators.
Both developments mark what will likely be an unusually busy holiday season for broadcasters: the FCC’s return addresses immediate operational needs, while the AM radio legislation targets long-term preservation of the band’s emergency communication and public service capabilities.
