February 12, 2025:
AARP has voiced its strong support for the AM Radio in Every Vehicle Act, urging Congress to swiftly pass the bipartisan legislation to protect the most vulnerable during emergencies.
Bill Sweeney, AARP’s Senior Vice President of Government Affairs, sent a letter to lawmakers emphasizing AM radio’s critical role in emergency communications and its significance for older Americans.
“Older adults are over-represented in rural areas where wireless and broadband connections are limited or non-existent,” Sweeney wrote. “AM radio connects millions of older residents to their communities through targeted programming, including the latest local news and weather.”
Citing a 2023 letter from seven former FEMA Administrators, AARP also pointed to AM radio as a big part of the National Public Warning System. Seventy-seven AM stations are Primary Entry Points, equipped with backup generators and emergency communication equipment, ensuring uninterrupted broadcasts reaching more than 90 percent of the U.S. population during disasters.
February 3, 2025:
A bipartisan group of senators has introduced the AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act.
The legislation would require automakers to keep AM radio accessible in all of their new passenger vehicles, including electric vehicles at no additional charge. The legislation comes as many major automakers are removing AM radio from their new vehicles.
If enacted, the bill would require the Department of Transportation (DOT) to issue a rule requiring new vehicles to maintain access to broadcast AM radio at no additional cost to the consumer and provide small vehicle manufacturers at least four years after the date DOT issues the rule to comply. The AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act also requires automakers to inform consumers, during the period before the rule takes effect, that the vehicles do not maintain access to broadcast AM radio.
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