Catsimatidis Urges Passage of Senate Version of AM Bill

RADIO ONLINE | Friday, September 19, 2025 | 2:32pm CT

John Catsimatidis

Red Apple Media CEO and 77WABC New York owner John Catsimatidis is urging Congress to adopt the Senate version of the AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act, criticizing a last-minute change in the House bill that would sunset the law after eight years.

The House Energy & Commerce Committee advanced the legislation (HR979) by a vote of 50-1 earlier this week. The measure aims to block automakers from removing free AM radio from new vehicles, ensuring the band's continued role in delivering news, entertainment, and emergency alerts.

While applauding the committee's approval, Catsimatidis called the sunset clause "ridiculous" and warned it undermines public safety.

"77WABC and all AM radio stations across the country provide life-saving information and emergency alerts to the public," Catsimatidis said. "The absurd eight-year sunset harms all Americans. Tornados, hurricanes, and other disasters won't go away. Politics aside, Congress should not compromise on citizens receiving critical news from AM stations. The sunset must go."

Catsimatidis thanked committee leaders, including Chairman Brett Guthrie (R-KY), Ranking Member Frank Pallone (D-NJ), and Rep. Gus Bilirakis (R-FL), for shepherding the bill forward but pressed lawmakers to back the Senate version (S.315), which does not include a sunset provision.

"As the bill moves forward, I urge Congressional leaders and the President to pass the Senate's bill, which is far superior and protects the American public," he said.

The legislation has garnered broad bipartisan support, with more than 300 House members and 61 senators backing the effort to preserve AM radio in cars.