Sen. Baldwin introduces bipartisan legislation to protect AM radio for Wisconsin farmers, families

WASHINGTON D.C. – U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) and a bipartisan group of colleagues introduced the AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act. The legislation would require automakers to keep AM radio accessible in all of their new passenger vehicles, including electric vehicles at no additional charge. The legislation comes as many major automakers are removing AM radio from their new vehicles. 

“Wisconsin families across the state, especially those in our rural and farming communities, depend on AM radio to receive critical emergency alerts and high-quality local news,” said Senator Baldwin. “I am proud to work with my Democratic and Republican colleagues to stand up for the Americans who want and rely on AM radio to do their jobs, stay safe, and keep in touch with their local communities.”

If enacted, the bill would require the Department of Transportation (DOT) to issue a rule requiring new vehicles to maintain access to broadcast AM radio at no additional cost to the consumer and provide small vehicle manufacturers at least four years after the date DOT issues the rule to comply. The AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act also requires automakers to inform consumers, during the period before the rule takes effect, that the vehicles do not maintain access to broadcast AM radio.

This legislation is led by Senators Kevin Cramer (R-ND), Ted Cruz (R-TX), and Ed Markey (D-MA) and co-sponsored by John Barrasso (R-WY), Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Katie Britt (R-AL), Ted Budd (R-NC), Maria Cantwell (D-WA), Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), Tom Cotton (R-AR), Steve Daines (R-MT), Joni Ernst (R-IA), Deb Fischer (R-NE), Chuck Grassley (R-IA), Josh Hawley (R-MO), Maggie Hassan (D-NH), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Jim Justice (R-WV), Angus King (I-ME), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), James Lankford (R-OK), Ben Ray Luján (D-NM), Cynthia Lummis (R-WY), Roger Marshall (R-KS), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Jerry Moran (R-KS), Chris Murphy (D-CT), Jack Reed (D-RI), Pete Ricketts (R-NE), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Rick Scott (R-FL), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Tim Sheehy (R-MT), Tina Smith (D-MN), Dan Sullivan (R-AK), Ron Wyden (D-OR), Todd Young (R-IN), John Barrasso (R-WY), Jim Banks (R-IN), and John Hoeven (R-ND).