House Votes to Keep AM Radio in New Cars: What It Means for Lawton Drivers

The U.S. House passed the AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act of 2025 by voice vote on Sept. 15, moving one step closer to requiring AM radio as standard, no-fee equipment in every new vehicle. The bill now heads to the Senate. All five members of Oklahoma’s House delegation, Tom Cole, Stephanie Bice, Frank Lucas, Kevin Hern and Josh Brecheen, voted in support.

The debate centers on safety versus cost. Some automakers, particularly electric vehicle manufacturers, have removed AM radio from new models to cut production costs and avoid signal interference issues. But broadcasters and emergency management groups argue that AM radio remains one of the most reliable ways to deliver tornado warnings and emergency alerts, especially in rural areas where cell service and internet can fail during severe weather.

The bill also calls for a GAO study examining AM radio and other emergency alert technologies in vehicles. For Lawton listeners, the stakes are familiar: when storms roll off the Wichita Mountains and the power flickers, radio often stays on when everything else goes down. What do you think, should AM radio be required in every new car? Let us know.