The AM in Every Vehicle Act has been excluded from the federal government funding bill, despite lobbying efforts from the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB). This decision comes amid pressure from musicians and the musicFirst Coalition, who insist the bill should only pass alongside the American Music Fairness Act (AMFA).

The AMFA, which has bipartisan support, would require radio companies to pay artists royalties for song plays on AM/FM radio. Currently, the United States remains one of the few industrialized nations not requiring such payments, with AM radio alone playing over 240 million songs annually without compensating artists.

Despite spending over $3 million in lobbying efforts, the NAB's push for the AM bill was unsuccessful. Notable artists including David Byrne, Randy Travis, MC Lyte, Darryl "DMC" McDaniels, and Melle Mel visited Capitol Hill to oppose passing the AM bill without the AMFA.

"This is a major win for all music artists across the country," says Darryl McDaniels, emphasizing the importance of fair compensation for artists.

SoundExchange CEO Michael Huppe noted that Congress should not mandate radio requirements without ensuring appropriate artist royalties. The musicFirst Coalition estimates radio companies earn over $15 billion in ad revenue while avoiding artist payments, making AM/FM radio the only music platform legally playing music without compensating artists.

The decision represents a significant shift in the ongoing debate over artist compensation in radio broadcasting, with advocates continuing to push for the passage of the American Music Fairness Act to ensure equitable payment for musicians.

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