House Passes Bill Requiring AM Radio in New Vehicles

The U.S. House of Representatives has approved legislation that would require automakers to include AM radio in new vehicles, TechCrunch reported.

According to the report, the bill passed with overwhelming and rare bipartisan support, reflecting broad agreement among lawmakers from both parties on the measure.

The legislation would mandate that AM radio receivers be included in new vehicles, a requirement that would apply to automakers selling cars in the United States, TechCrunch said.

The push for such a law comes amid a broader industry trend in which several automakers have moved away from including AM radio in their vehicles, citing electromagnetic interference issues in electric vehicles and declining listenership, according to prior reporting on the issue. Proponents of AM radio mandates have argued the service remains a critical tool for emergency broadcasts and public safety alerts, particularly in rural areas where other communication infrastructure may be limited.

TechCrunch's report did not specify the exact vote tally or provide additional details on the bill's next steps, including timing for consideration in the Senate or by the White House.

This is a developing story and further details on the legislation's path to becoming law were not immediately available.