The House overwhelmingly passed the AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act, which would require the transportation secretary to issue a rule require the devices as standard equipment in new vehicles sold in the U.S.
READ MORE: What AM radio’s waning reach means for the future of politics and public safety
Similar bipartisan legislation has been considered by Congress before, but stalled out. Lawmakers say there’s a need for emergency broadcasts and other local programming to be available on the dial.
Under the bill, the secretary would have a year to come up with the rule, and it would take effect two years later. It passed unanimously late Tuesday. The Senate is considering a similar measure.
