3rd District Congressman Derrick Van Orden of Prairie du Chien has signed a letter alongside Reps. Bob Latta of Ohio, Greg Pence of Indiana, and 100 bipartisan legislators urging automakers to keep AM radio in new vehicles. In the letter the representatives point out that AM radio is a crucial form of communication in rural communities. As the letter notes, over 75 radio stations, most of which operate on the AM band and cover at least 90% of the U.S. population, are equipped with backup communications equipment and generators that allow them to continue broadcasting information to the public during and after an emergency. Most importantly, AM radio is free to all Americans, not requiring a subscription or a broadband connection.
