Oklahomans are urging Washington lawmakers to pass the “AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act”, a bill that would require the Department of Transportation to issue a ruling making AM radio capabilities standard in all new passenger vehicles.
Background on the Bill
The bill was introduced in response to automotive manufacturers’ attempts to remove AM and FM radios from vehicles. The Oklahoma Association of Broadcasters’ president, Will Payne, is in Washington, D.C. to urge Congress to vote on the bill.
Payne emphasized the importance of AM radio, particularly during emergency situations. He noted that AM radio is a reliable means of receiving emergency alerts, such as those issued during severe weather events or Amber Alerts.
According to Payne, over 82% of Americans still tune into AM radio, and it reaches a wide area, making it a vital tool for emergency communication.
Support for the Bill
The bill has received overwhelming support from Oklahoma’s House of Representatives and Senate, and the president has expressed willingness to sign it. However, the bill’s progress is pending a vote, which Payne is urging congressional members to bring to the floor.
Original reporting: Oklahoma City News Feed (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
