As former heads of the Federal Emergency Management Agency from the Clinton and Trump administrations, we have witnessed firsthand the devastation wrought by hurricanes, wildfires, tornadoes, and other natural disasters. We have seen communities brought to their knees by the sheer force of nature. Yet, amid this chaos, when power grids, cell towers, and other communication networks often go down, one constant has remained: AM radio.
That is why we applaud the Senate Commerce Committee for passing the AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act on Feb. 5. This legislation represents a vital step toward preserving the single most reliable and resilient form of communication in the times when Americans need help the most. Now, it is up to the full Congress to ensure that this important bill becomes law.
When disaster strikes, modern communication methods often fail. Power outages render television and internet services inoperable during times of crises. Cell towers, vulnerable to unreliability during storms, fire, and general times of high demand, go dark. Satellite systems are not immune to disruption either. But AM radio? It perseveres.
This is no accident. The public safety community has long recognized the critical role of AM radio in disaster response and the federal government has invested millions in fortifying the National Public Warning System (NPWS) around it. Unlike other forms of communication, AM radio waves travel vast distances, penetrating through common signal blockers that FM and digital signals cannot. This is why emergency managers, and first responders depend on AM radio to reach the public in times of crisis.
We saw it again just recently. During the recent hurricanes that struck North Carolina, Florida, and the broader southeastern United States, AM radio proved the only way many vulnerable Americans could access critical, life-saving information. Likewise, as wildfires ravaged California, AM radio stations continued broadcasting to those in danger. These signals provided important updates on evacuation routes, emergency shelter locations, and other evolving threats.
Despite the critical role it plays in America’s emergency response efforts, some automakers have opted to remove AM radio receivers from new vehicles. They do not seem to understand that the government built the NPWS around AM radio because of its unparalleled reliability. Without it, we would be left with a glaring hole in our emergency communications infrastructure.
If the American people are unable to access AM radio during an emergency, they may miss crucial alerts, putting lives at risk.
The AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act aims to correct this dangerous trend by mandating that all new vehicles include AM radio capability at no additional cost. It will safeguard the integrity of our National Public Warning System so that the public remains safe and informed.
To those who argue that alternative technologies can replace AM radio, I say this — no app, Wi-Fi provider, streaming service, phone service, or social media platform comes close to matching AM radio’s ability to function in a crisis. Too often, these means of communication cease to work once the power goes out, and even when they do work, they can often prove unreliable, as evidenced by the erroneous cell phone emergency alerts sent out during the recent California wildfires.
That said, the AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act’s sponsors recognize that someone might one day find a better way to build the mousetrap. That is why they included a sunset provision within their legislation. The bill both protects innovation and public safety, and it has the backing of large majorities in both the Senate and the House.
Disasters will come. They always do. But thanks to AM radio, we will be ready. Congress must act now to ensure it remains that way.
We applaud the Commerce Committee for passing this bill and urge the full House and Senate to pass this bill without delay.