It appears that the bill to require AM radio in new cars will not pass this Congress. The legislation was absent from a stopgap measure unveiled Tuesday to keep the government funded until spring.
“While we are disappointed the AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act did not pass this Congress, the overwhelming bipartisan and bicameral support underscores the vital role AM radio plays in keeping Americans safe during emergencies and connected to their local communities,” said Curtis LeGeyt, president/CEO of the National Association of Broadcasters, in a statement late Tuesday.
The budget stopgap itself has not become law yet. According to CBS News, Congress has until Friday night to avoid a lapse in funding. “The new stopgap measure, with approval from the House, Senate and President Biden, would keep the government funded through March 14, giving lawmakers more time to reach agreement on new spending bills when the GOP controls both the House and the Senate,” CBS reported (read that story here).
But with the Christmas holiday rushing up fast, the AM bill appears out of options, for now.
LeGeyt thanked the AM bill’s sponsors and noted that it received bipartisan favor from “more than 125 supportive organizations, hundreds of thousands of listeners who contacted their lawmakers and more than 330 members of Congress who championed this effort.” He said NAB plans to work with the next Congress to pass the legislation.
