Catsimatidis: Don’t Let Sun Set On AM Radio Act
• By a vote of 50 to 1, The House Energy & Commerce Committee passed The AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act(HR979). The legislation is intended to stop automakers’ plans to remove free AM radio receivers from cars and force listeners to pay for all audio services.
In response, John Catsimatidis, Owner & CEO of Red Apple Media and 77WABC/New York, stated, “77WABC and all AM radio stations across the country provide life-saving information and emergency alerts to the public. While the committee’s action may be a step forward, a ridiculous last minute change sunsets the law in eight years. AM is the backbone of the emergency alert system, and tornados, hurricanes, and other disasters won’t go away. The absurd eight-year sunset harms all Americans.”
The statement continues, “Three hundred members of the House and 61 senators supported the bill without an eight-year sunset. Politics aside, Congress should not compromise on citizens receiving critical news from AM stations. The sunset must go.”
In closing, Catsimatidis said, “I want to thank House Energy & Commerce Chairman Brett Guthrie (R-KY), Ranking Democrat Frank Pallone (I-NJ), and Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) for shepherding the bill through the committee. As the bill moves forward, I urge Congressional leaders and the President to pass the Senate’s bill (S.315), which is far superior, and protects the American public.”
• On Friday, Catsimatidis issued a follow-up statement, which is posted at WABCRadio.com.
