House Backs AM Radio Mandate for New Cars, Sending Bill to Senate

The legislation would direct the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to compel automakers to include AM radio in new passenger vehicles as standard equipment, meaning manufacturers could be required to build the technology into new vehicles within the next year.

The measure cleared the House with broad support from both parties, an unusual display of consensus in Washington, and will now be taken up by the Senate. Senators Ed Markey (D-Mass.) and Ted Cruz (R-Texas) co-sponsored the chamber's version of the bill.

Earlier this year, the two senators secured 60 co-sponsors for their version, a level of support that would be needed to overcome a filibuster, giving proponents reason to expect the Senate will follow the House's lead.

Until recently, backers of the requirement had lobbied without success for a mandate, contending that AM radio provides essential information during emergencies because its signal can carry over long distances. Support has since broadened to include Democrats and Republicans, the broadcast industry, emergency responder organizations and former administrators of the Federal Emergency Management Agency.