What is S.2292, the Can’t Cancel Our Classics Act?
Explore S.2292, a federal proposal addressing the future of AM radio in cars by linking vehicle standards with national public safety communications.
A legislative proposal, the “AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act of 2025,” seeks to regulate the inclusion of AM radio in new automobiles. The bill’s aim is to ensure that all new vehicles sold in the United States are capable of receiving AM broadcast radio signals. This proposal responds to the trend of some automotive manufacturers removing this feature from newer models, particularly electric vehicles. The legislation addresses this change by creating a federal requirement, framing the issue as one of access to a communication network.
Mandates for Vehicle Manufacturers
The proposed legislation establishes a requirement for all automakers. It would compel any manufacturer that produces, sells, or imports new passenger motor vehicles for the U.S. market to equip them with a device capable of receiving and playing audio from AM broadcast stations. This mandate applies to all vehicles intended for consumer sale, irrespective of their power source or other technological features.
The bill specifies that this AM reception capability must be provided as “standard equipment.” This designation means the AM radio must be installed as a part of the vehicle’s original manufacturing process. It prohibits manufacturers from charging an additional fee or surcharge for the AM radio’s inclusion, and the cost must be absorbed into the vehicle’s base price.
The legislation requires that the AM radio be easily accessible to the driver, preventing manufacturers from burying the function within complex infotainment menus. For the interim period before the rule becomes effective, the bill includes a transparency measure. Any manufacturer selling a new vehicle without AM radio must provide a clear and conspicuous label informing the buyer of its absence.
Required Government Study and Reporting
The bill also commissions a formal analysis of AM radio’s role in public safety. The legislation directs the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to conduct a study on the current state of emergency communication systems. The focus is on evaluating the effectiveness of AM radio as a tool for mass communication during crises.
The GAO’s investigation will assess the importance of AM broadcast stations in disseminating emergency alerts and public safety information. A specific emphasis is placed on reaching people in rural or remote areas where other communication infrastructures may be unreliable. The study will analyze the reach and reliability of AM signals compared to these other technologies.
The GAO must also evaluate whether a dependable alternative to AM radio exists within the nation’s Integrated Public Alert and Warning System (IPAWS). The study will determine if other communication methods can replicate AM broadcasting’s ability to cover vast geographic areas and operate when local power grids fail. The report will also consider the potential costs of replacing AM radio’s function with a different technology.
Compliance and Enforcement
The bill designates the Department of Transportation (DOT), and by extension, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), with oversight and enforcement authority. The responsibility for implementing the new rule and policing compliance would fall to these agencies.
A violation of the requirement to include an AM radio as standard equipment would be treated as a breach of the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards under Title 49 of the U.S. Code. This allows NHTSA to assess civil penalties against non-compliant manufacturers for each violation. The specific monetary penalties would be determined by existing regulations.
The bill also provides an enforcement pathway through the judicial system. It grants the Department of Justice the authority to initiate a civil action in federal court to seek an injunction. This action would stop a manufacturer from continuing to violate the rule.
Current Legislative Status
The bill was introduced in the United States Senate on January 29, 2025, by a bipartisan group of senators. Upon its introduction, the legislation was referred to the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation for consideration.
A companion version of the bill was introduced in the House of Representatives on February 5, 2025. The Senate Commerce Committee passed the bill out of committee on that same day. On April 3, 2025, the bill was reported by the committee with an amendment, placing it on the Senate Legislative Calendar for consideration by the full Senate.