US lawmakers have introduced legislation that would force carmakers to maintain AM radio compatibility in all new cars at no additional charge to listeners.
The bill, which is co-sponsored by the unlikely pair of Massachusetts Democrat Ed Markey and Texas Republican Ted Cruz, along with six other senators, evenly split down party lines, comes after eight of the world’s largest carmakers removed AM broadcast radio from their vehicles.
According to Markey, the loss of AM access infringes on consumer rights and makes it more difficult for the government to reach citizens in the event of a national emergency.
“Although many automakers suggested that other communication tools — such as internet radio — could replace broadcast AM radio, in an emergency, drivers might not have access to the internet and could miss critical safety…
