The AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act has seen an advancement in Congress, but with some alterations. It’s safe to say John Catsimatidis isn’t a fan of those changes.
A near-unanimous 50-1 vote in the House Energy & Commerce Committee advanced The AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act, pushing the bill closer to a vote that has been years in the making.
However, one of the alterations of the bill would be that it would expire eight years after passage. That change is a sticking point for the 77 WABC and Red Apple Media owner.
“77WABC and all AM radio stations across the country provide life-saving information and emergency alerts to the public,” shared Catsimatidis. “While the committee’s action may be a step forward, a ridiculous last-minute change sunsets the law in eight years. AM is the backbone of the emergency alert system, and tornadoes, hurricanes, and other disasters won’t go away.
“The absurd eight-year sunset harms all Americans,” he continued. “300 members of the House and 61 senators supported the bill without an eight-year sunset. Politics aside, Congress should not compromise on citizens receiving critical news from AM stations. The sunset must go.
John Catsimatidis concluded his comments by urging legislators to pass the bill already existing in the Senate, “which is far superior, and protects the American public,” he stated.
Barrett Media produces daily content on the music, news, and sports media industries. To stay updated, sign up for our newsletters and get the latest information delivered straight to your inbox.
