# DAVID MARCUS: Congress set to protect AM radio and American discourse

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/david-marcus-congress-set-to-protect-am-radio-and-american-discourse/
- Published: 2026-09-06T20:15:58+00:00
- Updated: 2026-09-07T04:07:35+00:00
- Original publisher: Fox News (publisher lean: Far right)
- Original article: https://www.foxnews.com/opinion/david-marcus-congress-set-protect-am-radio-american-discourse
- Topics: Elections, Government, Politics, World

## Key points

- Bill mandates AM radios in all new US cars
- Backed for emergency alerts and civil political discourse
- Around 300 House, 60 Senate co-sponsors support it

## Summary

A bipartisan bill requiring an AM radio antenna in every new car sold in the United States is set for a vote in Congress this week, with backers arguing it safeguards both emergency communications and a rare surviving forum for civil public debate. The AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act, which has more than 300 House co-sponsors and 60 in the Senate, is primarily framed as a resilience measure so emergency alerts can still reach drivers if digital networks fail, but the author also credits local AM stations with hosting balanced, non-partisan discussion and community coverage that has largely disappeared from local newspapers.

Citing WFMD in Frederick, Maryland, now marking 90 years on air, the piece describes a typical AM schedule of local morning shows, syndicated news and afternoon call-in politics programmes, such as "Mid-Maryland Live," hosted by a conservative and a liberal presenter together. The author argues AM radio's reliance on local advertising, rather than government funding, gives it an incentive toward cross-partisan appeal, unlike publicly funded models. Estimates cited suggest 80–90% of Americans listen to AM or FM radio weekly, and more than 80% of car owners switch it on when starting their vehicle.

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Summarised by TalkFuse (https://talkfuse.com/). Quote the original publisher for the reporting and link this page for the summary and discussion.