D.C. Memo: House Republican on AM Radio Bill: 'This is Exactly Why People Hate Washington'

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AM Radio: The House Energy and Commerce Committee yesterday voted 45-2 to require the installation of AM radios in all new passenger vehicles pursuant to rules adopted by the Department of Transportation within three years of enactment. NAB President and CEO Curtis LeGeyt – who has faced some challenges at the FCC – notched a solid win on Capitol Hill.  “As one of the most reliable and resilient communications platforms, AM radio continues to be a lifeline for communities in times of emergency," LeGeyt said after the vote. The panel's vote came after Rep. John James (R-Mich.), a freshman whose district abuts Detroit’s northern boundary, tried to water down parts of the AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act to reduce regulatory burdens on the auto industry. "We putting an unfunded, unnecessary mandate for a problem that does not exist," he said. "This is exactly why people hate Washington." Like NAB, the radio bill's sponsors framed the issue as one about public safety. But Jones countered that an emergency alert conducted last fall by FEMA and the FCC showed that 95% got the alert on their mobile phones. "Know how many people got it on AM radio? One percent," Jones said. Just before his amendment went down by voice vote, Jones said, "I'm a conservative. I didn't come to Washington to put more mandates on an industry that is so vital to our country. I came to reduce mandates."