AM Bill Passed In House Would Protect Major Mode Of Christian Radio
WASHINGTON — AM radio, an important frequency for Christian programming broadcasts, would be required in new cars manufactured for 10 years under a bill the U.S. House passed late Sept. 15.
The House overwhelmingly passed by voice vote the bipartisan AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act of 2025 (House Bill 979), requiring “AM radio capabilities to be standard in all new passenger vehicles” and establishing civil penalties for violations.
National Religious Broadcasters, the largest association of Christian communicators in the nation, applauded the bill after promoting such a rule for more than three years.
“Make no mistake: House passage of the AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act is a tremendous victory for Christian broadcasters and communicators across the country,” Nic Anderson, NRB vice president of public policy, said in a public statement following the House vote. “AM radio remains a vital platform for sharing the Gospel, serving our communities, and delivering trusted, lifesaving information during emergencies.”
In sponsoring the bill that drew a bipartisan team of more than 300 co-sponsors, Republican Gus Bilirakis of Florida emphasized AM radio’s value as an “important source of news, weather, emergency information and community programming for millions of Americans.” He introduced the legislation in February 2025, following similar bills by other congressional members in previous years.
AM radio is also critical to Christian programming, Anderson said.
“Today’s vote affirms that free, local, over-the-air radio still matters and must remain available in every vehicle for the next generation of listeners,” Anderson said. “We are grateful to the bipartisan coalition in Congress that brought us to this moment, and we look forward to working with the Senate to get this important legislation across the finish line and onto President Trump’s desk for his signature.”
Trump has voiced support for the bill expected to pass the U.S. Senate.
“We’re going to protect pro-God context and content. To that end, at the request of the NRB, I will do my part to protect AM radio in our cars,” Trump said in 2024, reiterating his support in January. “Millions of Americans value listening to Christian broadcasters,” he said at the NRB event.
Nearly half of Americans, 45 percent, listen to religious programming on the radio, Pew Research Center said in March, based on a June 2025 study. Religious programming is particularly popular in the South, with 87 percent of the landmass served by at least one religious radio station, including both AM and FM frequencies.
Manufacturers were considering ending AM radio reception capability in cars, citing decreased popularity and signal interference in electric vehicles. Ford was set to remove AM radios from its 2024 gas models, industry analysts reported, but reversed course.
As written, the bill would require the Federal Communications Commission to issue within a year of the bill’s passage a rule stipulating AM radios be installed as standard equipment in all passenger motor vehicles. The rule would apply to vehicles made for sale in the U.S., imported into the nation or shipped in interstate commerce.
The Department of Transportation would have the power to assess civil penalties for any rule violations, and the Department of Justice would also be able to bring civil action, but no criminal penalties are cited.
The rule would be in place for 10 years.
This article was originally published at Baptist Press.
Diana Chandler is Baptist Press’ senior writer.