Washington (May 23, 2023) – Senator Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), a member of the Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee and co-author of the AM for Every Vehicle Act, released the following statement today after Ford announced it would reverse course on its plans to remove AM broadcast radio as a feature in new vehicles:

“I applaud Ford for tuning into the concerns of millions of listeners, thousands of broadcasters and countless emergency management officials who have called for automakers to keep AM radio in their vehicles. AM radio is more than just an essential safety feature—it’s a free, accessible source for anyone to listen to music, news, sports, and entertainment. Innovation in the automotive industry should mean more features, not fewer, for consumers. Ford’s reversal reflects an overdue realization about the importance of AM radio, but too many automakers are still going the wrong direction. Congress must pass my AM for Every Vehicle Act to maintain access to AM radio for years to come.”

Last week, Senators Markey and Ted Cruz (R-Texas) and Representative Josh Gottheimer (NJ-05) introduced their AM for Every Vehicle Act alongside Senators Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), Deb Fischer (R-Neb.), Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), J.D. Vance (R-Ohio), Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), and Roger Wicker (R-Miss.), and Representatives Tom Kean, Jr. (NJ-07), Rob Menendez (NJ-08), Bruce Westerman (AR-04), and Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (WA-03). The legislation would direct federal regulators to require automakers to maintain AM broadcast radio in their new vehicles at no additional charge. In December, Senator Markey wrote to 20 of the world’s leading automakers asking for their plans to incorporate AM broadcast radio in new vehicles; of the 20 companies, eight responded by saying they would not incorporate AM broadcast radio in new vehicles.

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