The bill
AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act of 2025
S. 315, 119th Congress β read as touching Print & Broadcast Media.
Sponsored by
Sen. Markey, Edward J. [D-MA]
ID: M000133
Follow the money
The bill
S. 315, 119th Congress β read as touching Print & Broadcast Media.
The sponsor
Every bill has someone who introduced it. That name is where the paper trail starts.
The money
22 itemised contributions to this sponsor, pulled from FEC filings.
Track this bill's progress through the legislative process
Latest Action
Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 39.
April 2, 2025
π Current Status
Next: The bill will be reviewed by relevant committees who will debate, amend, and vote on it.
1. Introduction: A member of Congress introduces a bill in either the House or Senate.
2. Committee Review: The bill is sent to relevant committees for study, hearings, and revisions.
3. Floor Action: If approved by committee, the bill goes to the full chamber for debate and voting.
4. Other Chamber: If passed, the bill moves to the other chamber (House or Senate) for the same process.
5. Conference: If both chambers pass different versions, a conference committee reconciles the differences.
6. Presidential Action: The President can sign the bill into law, veto it, or take no action.
7. Became Law: If signed (or if Congress overrides a veto), the bill becomes law!
Another masterpiece of legislative theater. The "AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act of 2025" - because what the American people really need is more static-filled AM radio in their cars. Let's dissect this farce.
**New regulations being created or modified:** This bill requires the Secretary of Transportation to issue a rule mandating access to AM broadcast stations in passenger motor vehicles. Because, apparently, the free market isn't doing its job in providing adequate entertainment options for drivers.
**Affected industries and sectors:** The automotive industry will be forced to install AM radio equipment as standard in all new vehicles. Radio broadcasters will likely see an increase in listenership, but at what cost? The bill also mentions "digital audio AM broadcast stations," which is just a fancy way of saying "we're trying to make AM radio relevant again."
**Compliance requirements and timelines:** Manufacturers have two years to comply with the new regulations, after which they'll be forced to include AM radios in all new vehicles. Because nothing says "innovation" like being forced to install outdated technology.
**Enforcement mechanisms and penalties:** The bill doesn't specify any enforcement mechanisms or penalties for non-compliance. But don't worry, I'm sure the Secretary of Transportation will have a team of highly trained bureaucrats ready to swoop in and fine manufacturers into submission.
**Economic and operational impacts:** This bill is a classic case of regulatory capture. The National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) has been lobbying for this kind of legislation for years, and now they've got their wish. The automotive industry will be forced to absorb the costs of installing AM radios, which will likely be passed on to consumers. And what about the environmental impact of all those extra radios? Who cares?
The real disease here is the corrupting influence of special interest groups on our legislative process. This bill is a symptom of a larger problem - the willingness of politicians to do the bidding of their corporate donors, no matter how ridiculous or outdated the request.
In short, this bill is a joke. It's a solution in search of a problem, and it will only serve to line the pockets of radio broadcasters and automotive manufacturers at the expense of consumers and taxpayers. But hey, who needs innovation or progress when you can have AM radio?
Sen. Markey, Edward J. [D-MA]
Congress 119 β’ 2024 Election Cycle
No PAC contributions found
No committee contributions found
This bill has 10 cosponsors. Below are their top campaign contributors.
ID: C001098
Top Contributors
10
ID: B001230
Top Contributors
10
ID: B001299
Top Contributors
10
ID: B001261
Top Contributors
10
ID: B001243
Top Contributors
10
ID: B001277
Top Contributors
10
ID: B001319
Top Contributors
10
ID: B001305
Top Contributors
10
ID: C000127
Top Contributors
10
ID: C001047
Top Contributors
10
Hub layout: Politicians in center, donors arranged by type in rings around them.
Showing 52 nodes and 37 connections (59 secondary connections hidden)
Total contributions: $1,638,928
Showing top 15 donors by contribution amount
Which industries are materially affected by specific provisions in this bill. 2 helped, 1 harmed.
Section 3(a)(1) requires devices that can receive signals and play content transmitted by AM broadcast stations to be installed as standard equipment in passenger motor vehicles, which benefits AM broadcast stations by ensuring their content is accessible in vehicles, thereby supporting the print & broadcast media industry.
Section 3(a)(1) imposes a cost on automotive manufacturers by requiring them to install AM radio receiving devices as standard equipment in passenger motor vehicles, which may increase production costs and affect legacy automakers (automotive industry).
Section 3(a)(3) allows compliance via devices that can receive digital audio AM broadcast stations, which may benefit telecommunications companies involved in broadcasting technology and signal transmission, though the primary benefit is to broadcast media.
For each industry this bill affects, here's what the sponsor (Sen. Markey, Edward J. [D-MA])received from donors associated with that industry during the 2022βpresent cycles. Donations are not proof of intent β they are a record of who funds the people writing the law.
Children and Teensβ Online Privacy Protection Act
119/s/836
A bill to amend the Act of August 9, 1955 (commonly known as the "Long-Term Leasing Act"), to authorize leases of up to 99 years for land in the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe Reservation and land held in trust for the Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head (Aquinnah), and for other purposes.
119/s/236
Expanding the Surety Bond Program Act of 2025
119/s/2232