HR 979: AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act of 2025

HR 979 in plain English: This bill requires the Department of Transportation to issue a rule mandating that AM radio be included as standard equipment in all new passenger vehicles manufactured or sold in the United States. Before the rule takes effect, automakers that omit AM radio must label vehicles clearly and cannot charge extra fees for AM radio access. The requirement expires 10 years after enactment.

Stated purpose

The bill aims to require the Department of Transportation to issue a rule making AM radio a standard, built-in feature in all new passenger vehicles, to help ensure public access to emergency alerts and other programming delivered over AM frequencies.

Key points

• Requires DOT to mandate AM radio as standard equipment in all new passenger vehicles sold in the U.S.
• Before the rule takes effect, manufacturers without AM radio must clearly label vehicles and cannot charge extra fees for it.
• Civil penalties may be assessed for violations; the Justice Department may seek court orders to stop violations.
• The rule and DOT's enforcement authority automatically expire 10 years after enactment.
• GAO must study and report on how emergency alerts reach the public, comparing AM radio to other alert technologies.

Arguments supporters make

• AM radio is a critical lifeline during disasters and power outages because it works even when internet and cell networks go down, so requiring it in every vehicle protects public safety.
• Some automakers, especially electric vehicle manufacturers, have been dropping AM radio from new cars, leaving drivers without access to a free, reliable emergency alert system they have counted on for decades.
• Making AM radio standard at no extra cost ensures all drivers, not just those who pay for premium features, have equal access to emergency broadcasts and public information.

Arguments opponents make

• The government should not mandate specific technology in vehicles when the market and automakers are already moving toward newer, more capable alert and entertainment systems.
• Electric vehicle manufacturers argue that AM radio equipment can interfere with their motors and batteries, and forcing its inclusion may create engineering challenges or require costly workarounds.
• The rule expires after 10 years, which may signal that AM radio is already an outdated technology, raising questions about whether locking it into vehicles is a good long-term use of regulatory effort.

Tradeoffs

Requiring AM radio as standard equipment preserves a proven, free emergency communication tool for all drivers, but may constrain automakers' design flexibility and add costs or engineering complexity, particularly for electric vehicle manufacturers. The bill also creates a government mandate over vehicle features in a space where industry and technology are rapidly evolving.

Current status in Congress: Passed House.

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