US House approves bipartisan legislation to require standard AM radio in new vehicles

WASHINGTON — The U.S. House of Representatives overwhelmingly approved bipartisan legislation on Sept. 16, 2026, that would require new vehicles to include AM radio as standard equipment. The vote, as reported by TechCrunch on Sept. 16, 2026, marks a major legislative step forward for proponents of the analog broadcast medium who have pushed back against automotive trends to drop the receivers from newer fleets.

Strategic Context

The measure advanced through the House with rare bipartisan support, reflecting persistent legislative interest in maintaining terrestrial radio access across the U.S. automotive market. Major automakers have increasingly debated or implemented plans to phase out AM radio receivers in newer vehicle lineups, pointing toward digital dashboards, internet-based audio streaming, and technical hurdles related to electric vehicle powertrain interference.

Forward Outlook

Following the House approval, the legislation advances to the next stages of the federal lawmaking process. Automotive manufacturers and compliance teams must now track the bill's progress in the Senate to determine whether engineering and supply chain operations will need to adjust for mandated AM radio integration in future production models.