Illustration: Sarah Grillo/Axios
Legislation requiring automakers to keep AM radio in cars has been submitted as an amendment to the must-pass defense authorization bill after revisions that could enable it to maneuver around opposing lawmakers.
Why it matters: Proponents argue that AM radio enables government officials to communicate with the public during emergencies. But EV manufacturers want to eliminate it because of interference from the electric motors.
- EV makers may have to spend $3.8 billion to install shielding and filtering in the vehicles, the Center for Automotive Research estimated.
State of play: The Senate bill, introduced last year by Ed Markey and Ted Cruz, racked up support from 62 Senate cosponsors. A House version garnered 261 cosponsors.
Friction point: But a new Senate version distributed last week eliminates references to the Senate Homeland and Government Affairs Committee and FEMA and a requirement for a GAO study.
- That's because Sen. Gary Peters, HSGAC's chairman, opposes the bill. So does Sen. Rand Paul, the committee's ranking member, who blocked passage of the bill last year.
- "We're trying to find any way to overcome objections from some Democrats and Paul at this point, including modifications and procedural maneuvers," a GOP aide said.
- Markey told Axios that "the essence of the bill remains intact" after the changes.
What they're saying: "We're not for mandating things for businesses — it's a very un-Republican idea," Paul said Monday. "We will continue to oppose it."
- Peters' office declined to comment.
What's next: Supporters will likely need to get it included in a manager's package of amendments to the NDAA.
- "We're working as hard as we can to pursue any avenue that gets the AM radio bill on the legislative road," Markey said (in classic pun form) when Axios asked him about that Monday.
- Lawmakers are expected to wait until after the election to finish up with the defense bill.
- The House Energy and Commerce Committee last night noticed a Thursday markup for its version of the bill, which still has the emergency response language.
