Last week, Tesla announced it will be removing FM radio from two of its base models. A few days later, GM announced it will only provide a proprietary audio system with its cars.
Meanwhile, a bipartisan group of lawmakers in Washington has introduced the "AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act of 2025," which Nic Anderson of the National Religious Broadcasters (NRB) says should pass easily once the government reopens.
In September, the U.S. House Energy & Commerce (E&C) Committee approved revised language that NRB helped shape directly.
With more than 299 cosponsors and support from seven former FEMA administrators from both parties who cite AM radio's unmatched reliability, the act is expected to advance quickly under suspension of the rules in the House, limiting amendments and allowing for expedited passage.
"We have 316 House co-sponsors, equally bipartisan; we have 61 in the Senate," Anderson reports.
As consumers are already seeing monthly recurring payments for things like Wi-Fi and heated seats, Anderson says manufacturers have found another way to squeeze a few pennies out of drivers and exert dominance over them.
"They want to have control of that dashboard, and one thing that they don't have control over is local radio," he tells AFN.
He says it is important that drivers have access to over-the-air radios.
"The AM band is one of the most resilient pieces of communication in our entire country for national security and natural disaster prevention and protection," Anderson notes. "From a Christian and conservative standpoint, we want to make sure voices are heard. We want to make sure the gospel is heard."
In addition to remaining "the backbone" of America's Emergency Alert System, reaching 272 million listeners every week, he calls the car radio car radio "the great equalizer – free, local, and open to all."
