Ed Markey and Ted Cruz Teaming Up To Ensure Every New Car Has AM Radio

A bipartisan proposal to keep AM radios in every car in the country sponsored by U.S. Senators Ed Markey (D-Malden) and Ted Cruz (R-Texas) is gaining momentum in the U.S. Senate.Although one is a progressive Democrat and staunch supporter of the Green New Deal while the other ran to the right of President Donald Trump in the 2016 Republican presidential primary, they found an issue that unites them -- perhaps for different reasons..The two introduced the AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act (S.315) earlier this year, and the measure now has 60 co-sponsors in the U.S. Senate. That means it appears to have enough support to cut off debate and proceed to a vote if the majority leader of the Senate allows it.The bipartisan proposal would require new cars sold in the United States to retain AM radio as a standard feature.“With the addition of a 60th cosponsor, our AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act hit a key milestone, demonstrating the broad, bipartisan support for this commonsense bill," Markey and Cruz said in a joint statement. "From emergency response to sports, entertainment, and news, AM radio is a lifeline for tens of millions of Americans. We are proud to fight for this legislation and ensure that AM radio can continue to play an important role in our constituents’ lives.”Markey and Cruz introduced the AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act because certain automakers have been excluding AM radios from new models, raising concerns about the ability of passengers to receive critical emergency information during natural disasters.If the bill becomes law, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration would require automakers to keep AM broadcast radio in their vehicles at no added cost to consumers. Automakers that sell vehicles without AM radio before the regulation takes effect would be required to inform consumers. Additionally, the Government Accountability Office would conduct a study on AM radio’s role in emergency communication.Some electric vehicle manufacturers have removed AM radio from their vehicles.Companies like Tesla, Polestar, and Rivian have done it, arguing that AM radio is incompatible with electric vehicles due to electromagnetic interference from their powertrains.Tesla removed AM radio from its cars in 2018, citing interference. Ford initially launched the 2024 Mustang without AM radio but reversed course following backlash from lawmakers and the public, according to The Verge.Some conservatives also support the bill to protect talk radio, a medium that skews right and is mostly on AM stations, according to Inside Radio. In Massachusetts, for example, WRKO (680 AM) features conservative talk show hosts Howie Carr, Jeff Kuhner, and Grace Curley.Cruz has made this case when advocating for this legislation.“AM radio is a haven for people to speak, even if their views are disfavored by the political ruling class,” Cruz said, according to The Texas Tribune. “Rush Limbaugh would not exist without AM radio. The views of my friend, [Rand Paul] the senator from Kentucky, would be heard by many fewer people without AM radio.”However, the bill's critics argue it would increase production costs for electric vehicles, which are already expensive.The companion bill in the U.S. House of Representatives (H.R. 979) currently has 142 co-sponsors, including members of both parties. That's a little less than one-third of the 435 members of the House.The Senate proposal received a favorable report from the chamber's Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation on February 5 and has been referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.

Ed Markey and Ted Cruz Teaming Up To Ensure Every New Car Has AM Radio

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