The National Association of Broadcasters recently urged its members to invite federal lawmakers onto the airwaves and highlight an existential issue for the trade association: the survival of AM radio, according to a members-only email shared exclusively with NOTUS.
The lobbying push aimed to capitalize on members of Congress’ August recess, when many found themselves out of Washington and back in their home districts. In emails to the association’s members — radio and television broadcasters, including AM news stations — the National Association of Broadcasters provided “news spots, digital ads and talking points” in support of a bill that would require AM radio in all new passenger vehicles.
“We are asking stations to invite your members of Congress to talk about the issue on air during the August recess. Invite your legislators into your studios, show them your local impact and take the conversation on air,” the association wrote in an email dated Aug. 8.
The National Association of Broadcasters, which is pushing a bill called the AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act, asked association members to “make sure lawmakers hear from stations urging them to bring this bill to a vote.”
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It’s unclear whether any lawmakers actually joined stations to talk about the AM radio bill on air.
The association pushed back when NOTUS asked whether urging stations to bring lawmakers on air to discuss the bill blurred the lines between journalism — some AM stations have news divisions — and grassroots advocacy.
“That’s what advocacy organizations do,” Alex Siciliano, a National Association of Broadcasters spokesperson, told NOTUS. “We’re just a member-driven organization that has interests in front of Congress or the FCC, just like everybody else who has an interest in front of Congress or the regulatory body that regulates them.”
The National Association of Broadcasters is one of the most moneyed lobbying forces in Washington. The trade association has already spent more than $5.9 million in the first six months of 2025 lobbying federal policymakers on a range of issues including the AM radio bill and efforts to remove the media ownership cap, which limits how many broadcast stations a single entity can hold to guard against excessive consolidation and promote a range of voices and perspectives.
A filibuster-proof majority of 61 senators and 286 House members now back the AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act, which, as the name suggests, would require all new passenger vehicles to come with AM radio. More than 20 lawmakers have signed on since Aug. 1.
The National Association of Broadcasters argues that AM radio attracts tens of millions of weekly listeners and plays a vital role in reaching Americans during times of crisis. Powerful AM radio stations also cover more area than FM signals, particularly at night.
But critics, including automakers and the tech industry, have decried AM radio as obsolete in an age of satellite and broadband communication and the bill as an unnecessary federal mandate. They’ve also expressed concern about the compatibility of AM radio and electric cars.
“Broadcasters are unabashed about informing our listeners and consumers that auto manufacturers are removing this lifeline from automobiles. While broadcasters warn of the danger, automakers are making a business decision that puts profits ahead of public safety,” Siciliano said.
The AM radio bill is years in the making, having earned 270 co-sponsors in the House and 62 in the Senate, during the 2023-2024 congressional session. But neither version received a floor vote, and the bills died.
Now, while the AM radio bill has more co-sponsors than ever before, it’s unclear which, if any, legislative vehicles are available to move the bill out of Congress and to the desk of President Donald Trump, who’s previously expressed support for preserving AM radio in cars.
The Senate Commerce Committee advanced the bill in April but it has not been brought to the floor. On the House side, the bill remains in the House Energy and Commerce Committee.
“One would be hard pressed for us to find another piece of legislation that’s got such strong bicameral and bipartisan support,” Siciliano said. “We’re hopeful that as these numbers get higher and higher, it’s going to hit a point where it comes to the floor and it gets a vote in both chambers.”
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