Congress pushes bipartisan bill to require AM radios in all new cars
The House approved a bipartisan measure mandating AM radio receivers in new passenger vehicles, and the bill now awaits Senate action.
A bipartisan bill, the AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act of 2025, cleared the House and now moves to the Senate, seeking to make AM radio receivers standard equipment in new passenger cars. Supporters argue the century-old technology is essential for delivering safety alerts and multilingual news to remote and underserved communities in Arizona, the Navajo Nation and other rural areas. Opponents from the automotive sector, including executives from BMW, Mazda, Tesla and Volkswagen, claim the mandate would raise costs, create interference issues for electric vehicles, and limit consumer choice.
Industry groups such as the Consumer Technology Association and the Alliance for Automotive Innovation have voiced criticism, while broadcasters and tribal media leaders warn that removing AM capability could leave millions without reliable emergency information. The legislation also mandates a Government Accountability Office report on public warning systems and includes a ten-year sunset provision, after which manufacturers could discontinue the feature.
Why it matters
The bill could preserve a low-cost emergency communication channel for rural and tribal listeners while reshaping vehicle design standards.
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