WASHINGTON—The American Farm Bureau Federation has joined a coalition to support the AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act.

This bipartisan bill, introduced by Senators Ted Cruz and Ed Markey, would require that all passenger motor vehicles in the US have access to AM broadcast stations. The bill also calls for a study on alternative communication systems for emergency alerts.

The coalition argues that AM radio is crucial for rural Americans who lack broadband service, as it provides important news and information.

The National Association of Farm Broadcasting found that 74% of farmers and ranchers listen to agriculture radio regularly. Rural Virginians also rely on AM radio for weather updates and emergency information. The coalition highlights the wide coverage and reliability of AM radio, which can reach up to 700 miles and remain accessible during power outages.

The bill currently has significant support in Congress but faced a setback when Senator Rand Paul blocked its passage in the Senate.