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A key Senate panel approved legislation Wednesday to mandate the inclusion of AM radio in all new vehicles while also implementing stricter oversight for broadband providers seeking federal funding.

The Senate Commerce Committee advanced both the AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act and the Rural Broadband Protection Act through a voice vote, sending the bills to the full Senate for consideration.

AM Radio’s Role in Emergencies and Public Communication

The push for continued AM radio capabilities in vehicles has garnered bipartisan support, with lawmakers emphasizing its importance in emergencies.

“AM radio serves as the most reliable and effective form of communication during emergencies and protects free expression and viewpoint diversity,” said Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, chair of the Senate Commerce Committee.

Sen. Maria Cantwell, D-Wash., the committee’s ranking Democrat, echoed this sentiment, highlighting AM radio’s role as a crucial alternative to digital communication, particularly in areas vulnerable to natural disasters.

“I like the notion that we are going to continue to have good old-fashioned ham radio and car radio,” Cantwell said.

Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chair Brendan Carr reinforced the bill’s significance, referencing recent firsthand accounts of AM radio’s role in disaster response.

“Millions of Americans depend on the value of AM radio and the local news that AM broadcasters offer in communities across the country,” Carr said. He cited a recent visit to North Carolina, where residents relied on AM radio for lifesaving information following Hurricane Helene.

Carr credited the bill’s sponsors, Sens. Ted Cruz and Ed Markey, D-Mass., for ensuring that AM radio remains a staple in new vehicles, calling it a “linchpin of our emergency response system.”

Senate Panel Strengthens Broadband Vetting Process

Alongside the AM radio bill, the committee approved the Rural Broadband Protection Act, sponsored by Sen. Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va., to establish a more rigorous vetting process for applicants seeking federal broadband expansion funds.

The legislation aims to address concerns about inefficient spending within the $42.5 billion Broadband Access, Equity, and Deployment (BEAD) program, a broadband expansion initiative created under the 2021 infrastructure law.

Commerce Committee Approves Lutnick’s Nomination

The committee also moved forward with the nomination of Howard Lutnick, a Wall Street financier, to serve as Secretary of Commerce in a 16-12 vote. If confirmed by the full Senate, Lutnick would oversee several key agencies, including the National Weather Service, U.S. Census Bureau, and the broadband industry’s regulatory framework.

Republicans have criticized BEAD’s rollout, arguing that the program has been burdened by excessive regulations and inefficiencies. Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., voiced frustration over the lack of funding disbursement under the program.

“The Commerce Department hasn’t put out a single dollar of assistance to a single provider,” Thune said, arguing that bureaucratic red tape has made it nearly impossible for broadband providers to meet federal conditions.

Partisan Debate Over Government Spending

Tensions flared during the committee meeting when Sen. Ed Markey, D-Mass., proposed an amendment to a consumer protection bill aimed at curbing Elon Musk’s access to U.S. Treasury payment systems. The amendment was swiftly rejected by Republicans, leading to a broader debate over government spending.

Thune pointed to the BEAD program as an example of wasted federal dollars, reinforcing concerns over the Biden administration’s broadband policies.

With the AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act and the Rural Broadband Protection Act now headed for full Senate consideration, lawmakers on both sides remain engaged in debates over communication infrastructure, rural connectivity, and the role of government oversight.