The House of Representatives passed the AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act on a voice vote Tuesday evening, sending the bill to the Senate with broadcasters and advocacy groups nationwide celebrating the major milestone for the years-long effort.
The voice vote, done under suspension of the rules given the bill’s 317 co-sponsors, sends H.R. 979 to the Senate, where companion legislation, S. 315, has sat on the Legislative Calendar under General Orders since the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee approved it in April 2025.
NAB President and CEO Curtis LeGeyt commented, “Today’s decisive House passage of the AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act is a significant step forward for the millions of Americans who rely on AM radio for lifesaving emergency information, trusted news, and a vital connection to their communities. America’s broadcasters are deeply grateful to House leadership, lead cosponsors Reps. Bilirakis and Pallone, and the overwhelming bipartisan coalition that made today’s vote possible.”
“We look forward to continuing our work with the Senate bill authors and their more than 60 bipartisan cosponsors to advance this critical public safety legislation and send it to the president’s desk.”
When the vote came through, Minnesota Broadcasters Association President Wendy Paulson was at the Midwest Regional Broadcasters Clinic in Madison, WI.
“What a victory for local broadcasters and the millions of Americans who depend on AM radio,” she said to Radio Ink. “Thank you, Leader Scalise, for getting it scheduled for the floor vote, and to the members of Congress who spoke in support of AM radio! Thank you to NASBA and NAB for the tireless advocacy, and to broadcasters everywhere who never stopped making their voices heard. Now, onward to the Senate! Keep the momentum going and finish the job!“
NRB VP of Public Policy and Salem Media VP of Government Affairs Nic Anderson said, “Make no mistake: House passage of the AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act is a tremendous victory for Christian broadcasters and communicators across the country. AM radio remains a vital platform for sharing the Gospel, serving our communities, and delivering trusted, lifesaving information during emergencies.”
“Today’s vote affirms that free, local, over-the-air radio still matters and must remain available in every vehicle for the next generation of listeners. We are grateful to the bipartisan coalition in Congress that brought us to this moment, and we look forward to working with the Senate to get this important legislation across the finish line and onto President Trump’s desk for his signature.”
“For Christian communicators, this vote stands as a major victory for radio and free broadcast distribution as a whole,” NRB president & CEO Troy A. Miller added.
In a statement to Radio Ink, Justin Sasso, President and CEO of the Colorado Broadcasters Association, said, “Three years ago, broadcasters began this fight because we understood that losing AM in vehicles wasn’t just about losing a legacy technology. It was about preserving a free lifeline during emergency situations in its most listened to location, the automobile. This battle has always been about maintaining a connection to our communities especially where other communications systems consistently fail. After watching this legislation fall short in the last Congress, we rolled up our sleeves and went back to work. Tuesday night’s House passage is proof that persistence and grassroots advocacy matter. I’m enormously grateful to Colorado’s broadcasters their listeners, our CBA Board and the bipartisan members of Colorado’s congressional delegation who stood with us. And as an AM station owner in a rural Colorado community, this one is especially meaningful to me. But we’re not finished. Next stop, the Senate.”
WABC Radio and Red Apple Media Chairman and CEO John Catsimatidis said, “I am glad that common sense has prevailed in Washington DC. The American people are on the side of common sense.”
The bill’s path to a floor vote wound through committee markups in both chambers, a stretch attached to Chairman Brett Guthrie’s surface transportation package in May, and a summer campaign urging leadership to schedule standalone floor time. House Majority Leader Steve Scalise set the vote for this week after telling Salem Media syndicated personality Hugh Hewitt he was pulling the measure off the stalled transportation vehicle and bringing it to the floor on its own.
Reps. Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) and Frank Pallone (D-NJ) lead H.R. 979 in the House. Sens. Ted Cruz (R-TX) and Ed Markey (D-MA) lead S. 315 in the Senate, where the act enjoys enough cosponsors for a filibuster-proof majority if leadership brings the bill to the floor.
The Senate returned to session on Monday after a monthlong recess, giving S. 315 a narrow window to reach the floor without further committee action. As it stands, the chamber’s 2026 calendar shows senators leaving for a near-total recess covering the weeks of October 4 through November 1 ahead of the November 3 midterms, then returning for only two days before the November 11 observance of Veterans Day.
Absent floor action before October 4, the AM radio mandate would likely wait for a post-election session in mid-November or December to reach a vote.
Rural communities are particularly dependent on AM/FM as a secure source for news and community information. This was never more evident than when the Western Power Grid went down completely, leaving us (with backup power) as the only accessible source. On another occasion, the main trunk from Phoenix north was cut causing interruption in cellular and even landlines. Again, our role as the backstop for emergency information was vital. Thanks to our House legislators for bring the Act across the finish line. Time for the Senate to git er done!
What happened to the electric car argument that AM messes with their technology?
I always felt it was their tech that messed up the AM radio but….
AM Radio Delivers Information, Safety, and Conetnt Serving the Public Interest, Convenience and Necessitry. All Vehicle Reception Strenghtens America.
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