Rural Groups Urge Hill Leaders Advance AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act
The National Farmers Union, National Grange and eight other rural advocacy groups urged congressional leaders to pass the AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act (HR-3413/S-1669). The measure would require the Transportation Department to mandate automakers include AM radio technology in…
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future vehicles. The Senate Commerce Committee approved an amended version of S-1669 in July, but House Commerce leaders expressed mixed opinions about the measure (see 2307270063). “AM radio is an essential communications medium in rural America,” including “commodity market reports” that are “called into local radio stations every day” and “well-known agriculture broadcasters remain a trusted source for valuable market reporting and updates,” NFU and the other groups said in a letter to Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., House Speaker Pro Tempore Patrick McHenry, R-N.C., and the chambers’ minority leaders. “There are more than 4,470 licensed AM stations across the country, with over a third of those stations broadcasting this type of agricultural programming. More than 40 percent of radio listeners are tuning in from their cars or trucks.” The groups also cited AM radio’s role in broadcasting emergency alerts since “when the power goes out in rural America, and cell networks are down, households are still able to access that emergency information through their car radio.” NAB, which backs HR-3413/S-1669, publicized the letter Wednesday.