WASHINGTON, D.C. – In response to the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Innovation, Data and Commerce's successful markup and passage of the AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act, the following statement can be attributed to NAB President and CEO Curtis LeGeyt:
"NAB applauds today's markup and passage of the AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act. This critical legislation ensures that the 82 million Americans who rely on AM radio each month will continue to have access to diverse programming, local news and essential emergency information. AM radio is the backbone of our Emergency Alert System, providing timely alerts and information during disasters and emergencies, ensuring that critical communication remains available even when cell and broadband services fail.
"America’s broadcasters are grateful to Reps. Gus Bilirakis (FL-12), Frank Pallone (NJ-6), Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers (WA-5), Jan Schakowsky (IL-9) and the bipartisan champions of this legislative effort for their leadership and commitment to preserving the indispensable role of AM radio in local communities across the country."
Background
On April 30, the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Innovation, Data and Commerce held a hearing titled, “Preserving Americans’ Access to AM Radio.” The legislation passed out of the subcommittee today mirrors the draft legislative language that was the focus of that hearing and the legislative language that passed out of the Senate Commerce Committee last year.
Legislation to require AM radio as a safety feature in all vehicles currently has 61 cosponsors in the Senate and 254 cosponsors in the House of Representatives.
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