By Jeff Wilson

The music industry brass is trying to convince Congress to hold up a critical Make America Safe Again bill that has received support from JD Vance, House Speaker Mike Johnson, and hundreds of Democrats and Republicans in the legislative branch. Why? Because music industry lobbyists believe they can leverage this legislation to obtain a long-desired personal payday. 

Fortunately, their crony, swamp-like tactics aren't working on Congress. The Senate Commerce Committee, led by Sen. Ted Cruz, has already approved the bill, and Rep. Brett Guthrie — the Chair of the House Energy & Commerce Committee who represents my home state, the Commonwealth of Kentucky — will soon call the bill for a markup to do the same. 

The music brass’ complaints concern the AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act, a bill that I and many of my fellow law enforcement colleagues endorse because it will keep the nation’s emergency warning systems working. It will do so by protecting — you guessed it — AM radio. 

The National Public Warning System and Emergency Alert System, which the federal government built to communicate with the public during the worst emergencies, are built around AM radio because it’s the only communications tool that works during many disasters, when cell and Internet towers get knocked down during storms or crash and get overwhelmed due to high demand. But don’t tell that to the music industry brass. They would like Congress to believe that this bill was created by, and serves to protect, the broadcast industry. 

Seriously? Then why have so many sheriffs, police officers, and dignitaries (as well every Democratic and Republican FEMA director from the Clinton through Biden administrations) who have never spoken to a single radio industry executive come out in support of the bill? Simple — because they know how important AM radio is to keeping the public safe during disasters. 

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This is true here in Kentucky. During tornado season, Kentuckians’ homes are often left powerless, and the emergency alerting systems (powered by AM radio) proved instrumental in keeping them safe. As one sitting member of the Kentucky statehouse put it in 2023, “Just ask the victims of the December 2021 Western Kentucky tornadoes who said local stations’ detailed coverage saved their lives. Many of my constituents here in Western Kentucky reported the same to me and my staff.” For this reason, Kentucky Attorney General Daniel Cameron joined 15 other attorneys general from across the United States in sending a letter to the industry about the need to protect AM radio. 

“Each of our states experience natural disasters and other public safety emergencies, including hurricanes, tornadoes, flooding, earthquakes, and many others,” they wrote. “During those emergencies, it is vitally important that federal, state, and local officials be able to deliver emergency warning and other information to their citizens.” They continued by stating how AM radio signals travel great distances and how citizens can receive information from AM radio “even when phone lines, electricity, and cell phones are inoperable.”

To highlight another example, the Southeast was completely reliant on AM radio during Hurricane Helene last year. CNN called it a lifeline, stating, “As communications across the region remained severed for many, the voices on the radio became a lifeline for locals in dire need of reliable information; sharing updates on road closures; opening the phone lines to anyone with working wireless or landline phones; and reassuring listeners that help is on the way from government organizations and volunteer groups.” Many local outlets reported the same.

Yet despite all these case studies disproving their argument, the music industry is crying foul. It is arguing that Congress should not move the AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act unless it also enacts the American Music Fairness Act, a bill that would create a new music performance royalty charge, at the same time. 

Maybe that music bill has merit; maybe it doesn’t. The problem, however, is that it isn’t very popular and is unlikely to pass this year. So, if the AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act is forced to be linked to that legislation, then this public safety bill will die along with the music industry’s pet project. 

Now is not the time to pass special favors for industry insiders. Now is the time to prioritize the health, welfare, and safety of the American people. 

Thankfully, Congress — and not the music industry — is holding all the cards. Members in the House will soon do what is necessary to Make America Safe Again, and that’s something my colleagues and I will be celebrating.

Jeff Wilson is Sheriff of Hart County, Kentucky

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