
Texas’ Sen. Cruz Tees Up AM Radio Bill for Fast Track
posted on 1.27.2025- Slated for Committee Action Feb. 5
Texas’ AM Radio champion, Sen. Ted Cruz, has refiled legislation requiring automakers to include access to over-the-air AM Radio stations in all vehicles after lawmakers failed to include the measure in must-pass spending bills last month, despite the bill earning support from a majority of House members and a filibuster-proof 63 members of the Senate.
The issue arose a couple years ago when some electric vehicle manufacturers announced plans to exclude AM from new vehicles because of the extra steps needed to protect against interference from electric motors.
Undermining access to AM signals, however, poses a security risk because AM Radio is the backbone of the emergency communications system, allowing the President of the United States to communicate with 99 percent of Americans within a couple minutes.
Cruz, now chairman of the Senate Commerce Committee, is once again pairing up with his political polar opposite, Sen. Ed. Markey, D-Mass., to pass the legislation.
Once introduced this week, the bill is slated for consideration next week at a “mark-up” on Feb. 5.
Identical legislation is forthcoming in the House.
TAB is taking two dozen Texas broadcasters to Washington, DC the first week of March to advocate on this and other issues with the state’s 40-member congressional delegation.
New Provision Intended to Speed Passage
One new provision in the bill is designed to expedite passage to floor action – a 10-year sunset that was negotiated and agreed to by party leaders of both chambers’ Commerce committees at the end of last Congress.
The addition should help the bill avoid any opposition in committee this year, and it’s a common provision in federal legislative policymaking.
Texans Leading Effort
Cruz was joined by more than half of the Lone Star State’s delegation to the U.S. House last year in leading the effort to ensure all passenger vehicles in the country continue to have AM Radio.
They recognize AM Radio’s role as the backbone of the nation’s emergency communications system and the popularity of the “platform’s” religious, sports, and diverse news/talk programming among their constituents.
About 28 percent of all Texans listen to one of the state’s 275 AM Radio stations daily.
Questions? Contact Oscar Rodriguez or call (512) 322-9944.
« Back to Latest News