It has been a two-year battle by lawmakers to save AM radio in cars, and finally, it appears traction is being gained. The AM Radio in Every Vehicle Act was introduced a few years ago as automakers tried getting rid of AM radio in newer models. That would mean depriving people of critical information in a disaster. But it was also widely seen as an attack on conservative media, since most conservative talk shows are on AM radio.
Thus, the bill was born, but it has continues getting kicked around in Washington. No real action has been taken on it but finally, there is some movement. The act passed through the House Energy and Commerce Committee on Wednesday. That paves the way for a full vote on the House floor.
Curtis Houck of the Media Research Center says the push to silence conservative radio is finally ending.
"While they see it as a cost cutting measure...it just feels like you are nickel and diming people at the cost of removing such a huge part of Americana," he says.
Support for the bill has grown rapidly in recent months and comes from both sides of the aisle. As of the writing of this article, the bill has the support of 297 House members, which is well above the 218 needed to pass.
But why has this taken so long with so many backers? True, it has been a long process to get backing, but two years is a long time for such a widely supported bill. That is mostly because that is what we have come to expect from Washington: delays with brief periods of productivity.
"It is a shame Congress again has to take action, but it is not surprising it has taken this long...this is what Congress does," says Houck. "Even though everyone sits and agrees something needs to be done, they have to sit and talk more, decide who gets the credit...there is so much red tape and stalling."
Stalling is the perfect word for it. Congress does have bigger fish to fry, but they never really take care of that work either. It is always talking the part but never playing the part.
All of this though was part of a push to silence conservative voices. The left did the same thing with Facebook and other social media sites and their censoring of Republican viewpoints. They wanted to do the same with AM radio. Like with the other ventures, it is ultimately set to fail.
The ironic thing is that AM radio is actually beneficial for both parties. It is an outlet for conservatives to voice their opinions. But it is also another outlet for Democrats to reach their core bases of people. Which they do not seem to care about doing.
"It helps conservatives because it is where the talk radio is...it helps Democrats because it is alternative forms of media," Houck says.
It is the alternative forms of media that cost the Democrats the last few elections, and they still fight against it. But it is not working, as Washington finally wakes up and saves AM radio in vehicles.
There is no timetable yet for when a full House vote on the bill will take place.
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