AM Radio Bill Waits as DC Shutdown Drags On

- Stations Urged to Press Lawmakers at Home

Texas Radio broadcasters are encouraged to reach out to their Members of Congress co-sponsoring the AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act and ask them to push for a floor vote when they return to work in Washington, DC.

Members of the U.S. House have been ordered home during the ongoing deadlock over proposed federal funding cuts to Medicaid and the Affordable Care Act, so placing phone calls to local district offices is a great option for reaching them at this time.

The legislation, known as HR 979 in the House, has the support of more than 300 House members, including 22 Texans. The bill cleared the House Energy and Commerce Committee last month by a vote of 50-1 with all six Texans on the panel – four Republicans and two Democrats – in support.

TEXAS HOUSE MEMBERS CO-SPONSORING HR 979 – DISTRICT PHONE LIST

The measure is a response to plans announced two years ago by a handful of electric vehicle manufacturers to discontinue the offering.  The automakers claimed they couldn’t resolve interference created by the EV motors despite competitors successfully deploying the technology.

An amendment negotiated in advance of the hearing shortens the duration of the requirement from 10 to eight years, accelerates the effective date of the requirement and directs the Department of Transportation to examine the potential impact of the rule on autonomous vehicles.

The record labels’ push to attach their ill-advised measure enacting a Performance Tax on Radio stations to the AM Radio bill failed to gain traction among lawmakers.

Questions? Contact Oscar Rodriguez or call (512) 322-9944.