Editing Jimmy Carter (section)

=== Domestic policy ===

====Holidays and proclamations====
In 1978, Carter signed into law a bill creating a celebration in May called Asian American Heritage Week. May 7 and 10 were designated for national observance and recognition of the contributions of Asian Americans and Asian immigrants to American society. In 1992, President [[George H. W. Bush]] signed a bill expanding the celebration into [[Asian American Heritage Month]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/asian-america/jimmy-carter-asian-american-heritage-month-rcna71682|title=Jimmy Carter remembered for launching 1st Asian Pacific American Heritage Week|date=December 30, 2024|publisher=NBC News|access-date=January 6, 2025|archive-date=January 6, 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250106180121/https://www.nbcnews.com/news/asian-america/jimmy-carter-asian-american-heritage-month-rcna71682|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2021, President [[Joe Biden]] signed a bill renaming this celebration Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month.<ref>{{cite web |title=Proclamation 10189—Asian American and Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander Heritage Month, 2021 |url=https://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/documents/proclamation-10189-asian-american-and-native-hawaiianpacific-islander-heritage-month-2021 |website=[[The American Presidency Project]] |access-date=January 6, 2025 |date=May 5, 2021 |archive-date=March 26, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240326153417/https://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/documents/proclamation-10189-asian-american-and-native-hawaiianpacific-islander-heritage-month-2021 |url-status=live }}</ref>

==== Economy ====
[[File:Inflation Yen USD 1971-2009 de.svg|class=skin-invert-image|thumb|upright=1.35|left|alt=A chart regarding inflation|Inflation rate of [[Japanese yen|yen]] and USD, 1971–2009]]
The first two years of Carter's presidency were a time of intense [[stagflation]], primarily due to recovery from [[1973–1975 recession|a previous recession]] that had left fixed investment at extreme lows and unemployment at 9%.<ref name="stat 88">{{cite web |url=https://www2.census.gov/prod2/statcomp/documents/1988-04.pdf |title=1988 Statistical Abstract of the United States |publisher=Department of Commerce |access-date=August 30, 2021 |archive-date=December 12, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211212140458/https://www2.census.gov/prod2/statcomp/documents/1988-04.pdf |url-status=live}}</ref> Under Carter, the unemployment rate declined from 8.1% when he took office to 5.7% by July 1978,<ref>[https://www.newspapers.com/article/spokane-chronicle-sharp-drop-noted-in-un/156447735/ Sharp Drop Noted In Unemployment]. [[Associated Press]]. ''Spokane Chronicle''. July 7, 1978. Retrieved October 2, 2024.</ref><ref>[https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-patriot-news-jobless-level-up-slight/157880385/ Jobless Level Up Slightly]. ''[[The New York Times]]''. ''The Patriot-News''. October 7, 1978. Retrieved October 26, 2024.</ref> but during the [[Early 1980s recession in the United States|early 1980s recession]] it returned to its pre-1977 level.<ref>[https://www.newspapers.com/article/st-louis-post-dispatch-jobless-rate-cou/156448077/ Jobless Rate Could Reach 7.5% This Year, 8% In 1981, Kahn Predicts]. [[Associated Press]]. ''St. Louis Post-Dispatch''. May 1, 1980. Retrieved October 2, 2024.</ref> His last two years were marked by double-digit inflation, very high interest rates,{{sfn|Bourne|1997|p=447}} oil shortages, and slow economic growth.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/Investing/JubaksJournal/Is70sStyleStagflationComing.aspx |title=Is '70s-style stagflation returning? |author=Jim Jubak |work=Jubak's Journal |publisher=MSN |date=April 1, 2008 |access-date=October 18, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110820042310/https://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/Investing/JubaksJournal/Is70sStyleStagflationComing.aspx |archive-date=August 20, 2011}}</ref> Due to economic stimulus legislation, such as the Public Works Employment Act of 1977, proposed by Carter and passed by Congress, real household median income had grown by 5.2%, with a projection of 6.4% for the next quarter.{{sfn|Bourne|1997|p=422}}

The 1979 energy crisis ended this period of growth, and as inflation and interest rates rose, economic growth, job creation and [[consumer confidence]] declined sharply.{{sfn|Bourne|1997|p=447}} [[Federal Reserve Board]] chairman [[G. William Miller]]'s relatively loose [[monetary policy]] had already contributed to somewhat higher inflation,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://econ161.berkeley.edu/econ_articles/theinflationofthes.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19970219022512/https://econ161.berkeley.edu/Econ_Articles/theinflationofthes.html |archive-date=February 19, 1997 |title=The Inflation of the 1970s: November 21, 1978 |date=December 19, 1995 |publisher=[[University of California at Berkeley]] and National Bureau of Economic Research |access-date=March 18, 2012}}</ref> rising from 5.8% in 1976 to 7.7% in 1978. The sudden doubling of [[crude oil]] prices<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www-cta.ornl.gov/cta/Publications/Reports/ORNL-6873%20.pdf |title=The Outlook for U.S. Oil Dependence |publisher=U.S. Department of Energy |access-date=October 18, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170513154741/https://www-cta.ornl.gov/cta/Publications/Reports/ORNL-6873%20.pdf |archive-date=May 13, 2017}}</ref> forced inflation to double-digit levels, averaging 11.3% in 1979 and 13.5% in 1980.<ref name="stat 88" /> The sudden shortage of gasoline as the 1979 summer vacation season began exacerbated the problem and came to symbolize the crisis to the general public;{{sfn|Bourne|1997|p=447}} the acute shortage, originating in the shutdown of [[Amerada Hess]] refining facilities, led the federal government to sue the company that year.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://md.findacase.com/research/wfrmDocViewer.aspx/xq/fac.%5CFCT%5CC04%5C1979%5C19791226_0040006.C04.htm/qx |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120628221218/https://md.findacase.com/research/wfrmDocViewer.aspx/xq/fac.%5CFCT%5CC04%5C1979%5C19791226_0040006.C04.htm/qx |archive-date=June 28, 2012 |access-date=September 9, 2021 |title=United States v. Society of Independent Gasoline Marketers of America}}</ref>

==== Environment ====
During his 1976 campaign, Carter promised to sign into law any bills Congress passed to regulate [[strip mining]].<ref>[https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-courier-journal-ford-defends-vetoing/162054331/ Ford defends vetoing limits on strip mines]. ''[[The Courier-Journal]]''. October 23, 1977. Retrieved January 1, 2025.</ref> In 1977, Carter signed the [[Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977]], which regulated strip mining.<ref>[https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-morning-union-coal-strip-mining-bill/162054756/ Coal strip mining bill signed into law by Carter] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250112020742/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-morning-union-coal-strip-mining-bill/162054756/ |date=January 12, 2025 }}. ''[[The New York Times]]''. August 4, 1977. Retrieved January 1, 2025.</ref>

In 1978, Carter declared a federal emergency in the [[Love Canal]] neighborhood of [[Niagara Falls, New York]]. More than 800 families were evacuated from the neighborhood, which was on top of a [[toxic waste]] landfill. The [[Superfund]] law was created in response to the situation.<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=v751AwAAQBAJ&q=carter+Love+Canal+in+the+city+of+Niagara+Falls,+New+York.+More+than+800+families+were+evacuated&pg=PT1417|title=Encyclopedia of Business Ethics and Society|first1=Robert|last1=W. Kolb|publisher=SAGE Publications|date=2008|page=1305|isbn=978-1-4522-6569-8|access-date=March 21, 2022|archive-date=April 7, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220407065100/https://books.google.com/books?id=v751AwAAQBAJ&q=carter+Love+Canal+in+the+city+of+Niagara+Falls%2C+New+York.+More+than+800+families+were+evacuated&pg=PT1417|url-status=live}}</ref> Federal disaster money was appropriated to demolish about 500 houses and two schools built atop the dump, and to remediate the dump and construct a containment area for the hazardous waste. This was the first time such a process had been undertaken. Carter acknowledged that several more "Love Canals" existed across the country, and that discovering such hazardous dump sites was "one of the grimmest discoveries of our modern era".<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=eUTkicMAXuQC&q=one+of+the+grimmest+discoveries+of+our+modern+era+carter&pg=PR15|title=Risks of Hazardous Wastes|first1=Paul|last1=E. Rosenfeld|first2=Lydia|last2=Feng|first3=William|last3=Andrew|date=2011|publisher=William Andrew|isbn=978-1-4377-7843-4|access-date=March 21, 2022|archive-date=April 7, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220407071456/https://books.google.com/books?id=eUTkicMAXuQC&q=one+of+the+grimmest+discoveries+of+our+modern+era+carter&pg=PR15|url-status=live}}</ref>

In December 1978, Carter used the [[1906 Antiquities Act]] and his executive order power to designate {{convert|56000000|acre}} of land in Alaska as a national monument. This executive order protected the [[Arctic National Wildlife Refuge]] until Congress codified it into law with the [[Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act of 1980]], which doubled the amount of public land set aside for national parks and wildlife refuges.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2024/12/president-jimmy-carter-death-100-environmental-legacy-conservation-solar-energy-alaskan-national-wildlife-refuge/ | title=The bold environmental vision of President Jimmy Carter | access-date=January 1, 2025 | archive-date=January 1, 2025 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250101184520/https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2024/12/president-jimmy-carter-death-100-environmental-legacy-conservation-solar-energy-alaskan-national-wildlife-refuge/ | url-status=live }}</ref><ref>See [https://www.nytimes.com/1978/12/02/archives/carter-designates-us-land-in-alaska-for-national-parks-56-million.html Seth S. King, "Carter Designates U.S. Land In Alaska For National Parks," ''The New York Times'', December 2, 1978] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190706164558/https://www.nytimes.com/1978/12/02/archives/carter-designates-us-land-in-alaska-for-national-parks-56-million.html |date=July 6, 2019 }}</ref>

==== U.S. energy crisis ====
{{Further|1979 oil crisis}}
[[File:Carter leaving Three Mile Island.jpg|thumb|upright=1.0|right|Carter at [[Three Mile Island]] [[Three Mile Island accident|nuclear accident]], April 1979]]

Moralism typified much of Carter's action.<ref>Kenneth Earl Morris, ed. ''Jimmy Carter, American Moralist'' ( University of Georgia Press, 1996).</ref> On April 18, 1977, he delivered a televised speech declaring that the energy crisis was the "moral equivalent of war". He encouraged [[energy conservation]] and installed [[Solar power at the White House|solar water heating panels on the White House]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.unity.edu/news/solar1004.htm |title=Maine college to auction off former White House solar panels |date=October 28, 2004 |access-date=January 31, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100122051251/https://www.unity.edu/News/solar1004.htm |archive-date=January 22, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |first=Dave |last=Burdick |url=https://huffingtonpost.com/2009/01/27/white-house-solar-panels_n_160575.html |work=HuffPost |title=White House Solar Panels: What Ever Happened To Carter's Solar Thermal Water Heater? (VIDEO) |date=January 27, 2009 |access-date=January 31, 2010 |archive-date=September 4, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090904023005/https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/01/27/white-house-solar-panels_n_160575.html |url-status=live}}</ref> He wore a [[cardigan (sweater)|cardigan]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2024/12/president-jimmy-carter-death-100-environmental-legacy-conservation-solar-energy-alaskan-national-wildlife-refuge/|title=The bold environmental vision of President Jimmy Carter|first=Kai|last=Bird|access-date=January 1, 2025|archive-date=January 1, 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250101184520/https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2024/12/president-jimmy-carter-death-100-environmental-legacy-conservation-solar-energy-alaskan-national-wildlife-refuge/|url-status=live}}</ref> to offset turning down the heat in the White House.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.foxnews.com/opinion/days-of-malaise-and-jimmy-carters-solar-panels|title=Days of 'Malaise' and Jimmy Carter's Solar Panels|first1=Craig|last1=Shirley|date=October 8, 2010|access-date=August 30, 2021|publisher=Fox News|archive-date=November 22, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141122031809/https://www.foxnews.com/opinion/2010/10/08/craig-shirley-jimmy-carter-white-house-energy-crisis-solar-panels-ronald-reagan/|url-status=live}}</ref> On August 4, 1977, Carter signed the [[Department of Energy Organization Act of 1977]], forming the Department of Energy, the first new cabinet position in eleven years.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Relyea |first1=Harold |title=The executive branch, creation and reorganization |year=2003 |publisher=Nova Publishers |page=29 |last2=Carr |first2=Thomas P. |isbn=978-1-59033-610-6}}</ref>

Carter emphasized that the House of Representatives had "adopted almost all" of the energy proposal he had made five months earlier and called the compromise "a turning point in establishing a comprehensive energy program."<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/documents/the-presidents-news-conference-125 |title=The President's News Conference (29 September 1977) |website=The American Presidency Project |last1=Peters |first1=Gerhard |last2=Woolley |first2=John T. |access-date=August 30, 2021 |archive-date=August 16, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210816115250/https://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/documents/the-presidents-news-conference-125 |url-status=live}}</ref> The next month, he called energy "the most important domestic issue that we will face while I am in office".<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/documents/the-presidents-news-conference-122 |title=The President's News Conference (13 October 2021) |website=The American Presidency Project |last1=Peters |first1=Gerhard |last2=Woolley |first2=John T. |access-date=August 30, 2021 |archive-date=November 5, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211105040157/https://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/documents/the-presidents-news-conference-122 |url-status=live}}</ref>

On January 12, 1978, Carter said the continued discussions about his energy reform proposal had been "long and divisive and arduous".<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/documents/the-presidents-news-conference-1008 |title=The President's News Conference (12 January 1978) |website=The American Presidency Project |last1=Peters |first1=Gerhard |last2=Woolley |first2=John T. |access-date=August 30, 2021 |archive-date=December 12, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211212140632/https://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/documents/the-presidents-news-conference-1008 |url-status=live}}</ref> In an April 11, 1978, news conference, Carter said his biggest surprise "in the nature of a disappointment" since becoming president was the difficulty Congress had in passing legislation, citing the energy reform bill in particular.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/documents/the-presidents-news-conference-1006 |title=The President's News Conference (11 April 1978) |website=The American Presidency Project |last1=Peters |first1=Gerhard |last2=Woolley |first2=John T. |access-date=August 30, 2021 |archive-date=December 12, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211212140501/https://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/documents/the-presidents-news-conference-1006 |url-status=live}}</ref> After much deliberation and modification, Congress approved the Carter energy legislation on October 15, 1978. It deregulated the sale of natural gas, dropped a longstanding pricing disparity between intra- and interstate gas, and created tax credits to encourage energy conservation and the use of non-fossil fuels.<ref>{{cite book |last=Kaufman |first=Burton Ira |title=The Presidency of James Earl Carter, Jr. |date=1993 |publisher=University Press of Kansas |isbn=978-0-7006-0572-9 |location=Lawrence, Kansas |page=108 |oclc=26359258}}</ref>

On March 1, 1979, Carter submitted a standby [[Rationing in the United States|gasoline rationing plan]] per the request of Congress.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/documents/standby-gasoline-rationing-plan-message-the-congress-transmitting-the-plan-0 |title=Standby Gasoline Rationing Plan Message to the Congress Transmitting the Plan. (1 March 1979) |website=The American Presidency Project |last1=Peters |first1=Gerhard |last2=Woolley |first2=John T. |access-date=August 30, 2021 |archive-date=December 12, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211212140613/https://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/documents/standby-gasoline-rationing-plan-message-the-congress-transmitting-the-plan-0 |url-status=live}}</ref> On April 5, he delivered an address in which he stressed the urgency of energy conservation and increasing domestic production of energy sources such as coal and solar.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/documents/energy-address-the-nation |title=Energy Address to the Nation. (5 April 1979) |website=The American Presidency Project |last1=Peters |first1=Gerhard |last2=Woolley |first2=John T. |access-date=August 30, 2021 |archive-date=December 12, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211212140452/https://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/documents/energy-address-the-nation |url-status=live}}</ref>

On July 15, 1979, Carter delivered a nationally televised address in which he identified what he believed to be a "[[s:The Crisis of Confidence|crisis of confidence]]" among American people,<ref name="millercenter1979">{{cite web |url=https://millercenter.org/scripps/archive/speeches/detail/3402 |title="Crisis of Confidence" Speech (July 15, 1979) |publisher=Miller Center, University of Virginia |format=text and video |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090721024329/https://millercenter.org/scripps/archive/speeches/detail/3402 |archive-date=July 21, 2009 |date=October 20, 2016}}</ref> under the advisement of pollster [[Pat Caddell]] who believed Americans faced a crisis in confidence from events of the 1960s and 1970s, before his presidency.<ref name="crisis speech">{{cite web |url=https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/americanexperience/features/general-article/carter-crisis-speech/ |publisher=PBS |series=American Experience |title=Jimmy Carter |access-date=March 21, 2022 |archive-date=October 19, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131019101602/https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/americanexperience/features/general-article/carter-crisis-speech/}}</ref> Some later called this his "[[malaise]] speech",<ref name="millercenter1979" /> memorable for mixed reactions<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.eoearth.org/article/Jimmy_Carter%27s__malaise_speech_ |publisher=The Encyclopedia of Earth |title=Jimmy Carter's "malaise speech" |author=Cutler Cleveland |date=January 24, 2007 |access-date=March 21, 2022 |archive-date=July 11, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100711161737/https://www.eoearth.org/article/Jimmy_Carter%27s__malaise_speech_ |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://select.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=FB0611F8395D12728DDDA10994DF405B898BF1D3 |title=Speech Lifts Carter Rating to 37%; Public Agrees on Confidence Crisis; Responsive Chord Struck |newspaper=The New York Times |date=July 18, 1979 |access-date=August 30, 2021 |author=Adam Clymer |author-link=Adam Clymer |page=A1 |archive-date=May 17, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130517074931/https://select.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=FB0611F8395D12728DDDA10994DF405B898BF1D3 |url-status=live}}</ref> and his use of rhetoric.<ref name="crisis speech" /> The speech's negative reception centered on a view that he did not emphasize his own efforts to address the energy crisis and seemed too reliant on Americans.<ref>{{cite book |last=Weintraub |first=Walter |title=Political Psychology 7: Profiles of American Presidents as Revealed in Their Public Statements: The Presidential News Conferences of Jimmy Carter and Ronald Reagan |year=1986 |publisher=International Society of Political Psychology |pages=285–295}}</ref>

==== Relations with Congress ====
[[File:President Carter addresses a Joint Session of Congress.jpg|thumb|Carter addressing members of the U.S. Congress on September 18, 1978]]

Carter typically refused to conform to Washington's rules.{{sfn|Zelizer|2010|pp=53–55}} He avoided phone calls from members of Congress and verbally insulted them. He was unwilling to return political favors. His negativity led to frustration in passing legislation.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/americanexperience/features/general-article/georgia-mafia/ |title=The 'Georgia Mafia'. Jimmy Carter |work=WGBH American Experience |publisher=PBS |access-date=March 13, 2017 |archive-date=February 15, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170215065641/https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/americanexperience/features/general-article/georgia-mafiahttps://}}</ref> During a press conference on February 23, 1977, Carter stated that it was "inevitable" that he would come into conflict with Congress and added that he had found "a growing sense of cooperation" with Congress and met in the past with congressional members of both parties.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/documents/the-presidents-news-conference-119 |title=The President's News Conference (23 February 1977) |website=The American Presidency Project |last1=Peters |first1=Gerhard |last2=Woolley |first2=John T. |access-date=August 30, 2021 |archive-date=August 15, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210815112634/https://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/documents/the-presidents-news-conference-119 |url-status=live}}</ref> Carter developed a bitter feeling following an unsuccessful attempt at having Congress enact the scrapping of several water projects.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/10/27/zelizer.hundred/index.html |publisher=CNN|title=Commentary: New president's 100 days of pressure – CNN.com |date=October 28, 2008 |access-date=May 22, 2010 |archive-date=December 3, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091203002100/https://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/10/27/zelizer.hundred/index.html |url-status=live}}</ref>

As a rift ensued between the White House and Congress afterward, Carter noted that the Democratic Party's liberal wing opposed his policies the most ardently, attributing this to [[Ted Kennedy 1980 presidential campaign|Ted Kennedy's wanting the presidency]].<ref>Carter, Jimmy ''Our Endangered Values: America's Moral Crisis'', p. 8, (2005), Simon & Schuster</ref> Thinking he had support from 74 Congressmen, Carter issued a "hit list" of 19 projects that he claimed were "pork barrel" spending that he said he would veto if they were included in legislation.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/washingtonpost_historical/access/143163782.html?dids=143163782:143163782&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:AI&type=historic&date=Apr+1%2C+1977&author=By+Walter+Pincus+Washington+Post+Staff+Writer&pub=The+Washington+Post+(1974-Current+file)&edition=&startpage=A1&desc=When+a+Campaign+Vow+Crashes+Into+a+Pork+Barrel |last=Pincus |first=Walter |title=When a Campaign Vow Crashes into a Pork Barrel |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |date=April 1, 1977 |access-date=July 5, 2008 |archive-date=May 25, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110525152206/https://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/washingtonpost_historical/access/143163782.html?dids=143163782:143163782&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:AI&type=historic&date=Apr+1,+1977&author=By+Walter+Pincus+Washington+Post+Staff+Writer&pub=The+Washington+Post+(1974-Current+file)&edition=&startpage=A1&desc=When+a+Campaign+Vow+Crashes+Into+a+Pork+Barrel}}</ref> He found himself again at odds with Congressional Democrats, as [[Speaker of the United States House of Representatives|House Speaker]] [[Tip O'Neill]] found it inappropriate for a president to pursue what had traditionally been the role of Congress. Carter was also weakened by signing a bill that contained many of the "hit list" projects he had intended to veto.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/ws/?pid=6799 |publisher=presidency.ucsb.edu |title=Jimmy Carter: Water Resource Projects Message to the Congress |access-date=March 13, 2017 |archive-date=August 28, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160828215048/https://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/ws/?pid=6799}}</ref>
[[File:President Jimmy Carter with Senator Joe Biden.jpg|thumb|left|alt=A monochrome image of Carter shaking hands with Joe Biden|President Carter meeting with U.S. Senator and future president [[Joe Biden]] in 1978]]
In an address to a fundraising dinner for the Democratic National Committee on June 23, 1977, Carter said, "I think it's good to point out tonight, too, that we have evolved a good working relationship with the Congress. For eight years we had government by partisanship. Now we have government by partnership."<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/documents/democratic-national-committee-dinner-remarks-the-fundraising-dinner-new-york-city |title=Democratic National Committee Dinner Remarks at the Fundraising Dinner in New York City. (23 June 1977) |website=The American Presidency Project |last1=Peters |first1=Gerhard |last2=Woolley |first2=John T. |access-date=August 30, 2021 |archive-date=October 12, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211012010116/https://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/documents/democratic-national-committee-dinner-remarks-the-fundraising-dinner-new-york-city |url-status=live}}</ref> At a July 28 news conference, assessing the first six months of his presidency, Carter spoke of his improved understanding of Congress: <blockquote>I have learned to respect the Congress more in an individual basis. I've been favorably impressed at the high degree of concentrated experience and knowledge that individual members of Congress can bring on a specific subject, where they've been the chairman of a subcommittee or committee for many years and have focused their attention on this particular aspect of government life which I will never be able to do.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/documents/the-presidents-news-conference-104 |title=The President's News Conference (28 July 1977) |website=The American Presidency Project |last1=Peters |first1=Gerhard |last2=Woolley |first2=John T. |access-date=August 30, 2021 |archive-date=December 12, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211212140513/https://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/documents/the-presidents-news-conference-104 |url-status=live}}</ref></blockquote>

On May 10, 1979, the House voted against giving Carter authority to produce a standby gas rationing plan.{{sfn|Bourne|1997|p=436}} The following day, Carter described himself as shocked and embarrassed for the U.S. government by the vote and concluded "the majority of the House Members are unwilling to take the responsibility, the political responsibility for dealing with a potential, serious threat to our Nation." He added that most House members were placing higher importance on "local or parochial interests" and challenged the House to compose its own rationing plan in the next 90 days.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/ws/index.php?pid=32325 |title=Standby Gasoline Rationing Plan Remarks on the House of Representatives Disapproval of the Plan (10 May 1979) |date=May 11, 1979 |publisher=American Presidency Project |first=Jimmy |last=Carter |access-date=August 30, 2021 |archive-date=September 26, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180926085905/https://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/ws/index.php?pid=32325 |url-status=live}}</ref>

Carter's remarks were met with criticism by House Republicans, who accused his comments of not befitting the formality a president should have in their public remarks. Others pointed to 106 Democrats voting against his proposal and the bipartisan criticism potentially coming back to haunt him.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1979/05/15/archives/carters-clash-with-congress-on-gas-plan-news-analysis-some.html |title=Carter's Clash With Congress on Gas Plan |date=May 15, 1979 |access-date=August 30, 2021 |newspaper=The New York Times |archive-date=May 31, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210531084739/https://www.nytimes.com/1979/05/15/archives/carters-clash-with-congress-on-gas-plan-news-analysis-some.html |url-status=live}}</ref> At a news conference on July 25, 1979, Carter called on believers in the future of the U.S. and his proposed energy program to speak with Congress as it bore the responsibility to impose his proposals.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/ws/index.php?pid=32653 |title=The President's News Conference (25 July 1979) |date=July 25, 1979 |publisher=American Presidency Project |access-date=August 30, 2021 |archive-date=September 26, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180926090001/https://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/ws/index.php?pid=32653 |url-status=live}}</ref> Amid the energy proposal opposition, ''The New York Times'' commented that "as the comments flying up and down Pennsylvania Avenue illustrate, there is also a crisis of confidence between Congress and the President, sense of doubt and distrust that threatens to undermine the President's legislative program and become an important issue in next year's campaign."<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1979/08/05/archives/carter-and-the-congress-doubt-and-distrust-prevail.html |title=Carter and the Congress: Doubt and Distrust Prevail |first=Steven V. |last=Roberts |date=August 5, 1979 |access-date=August 30, 2021 |newspaper=The New York Times |archive-date=August 17, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210817111437/https://www.nytimes.com/1979/08/05/archives/carter-and-the-congress-doubt-and-distrust-prevail.html |url-status=live}}</ref>

==== Deregulation ====
{{Main|Airline Deregulation Act}}

[[File:Jimmy Carter signs Airline Deregulation Act of 1978 - NARA - 182032.tif|thumb|alt=Carter surrounded by a crowd of people as he signs the Airline Deregulation Act.|Carter signing the [[Airline Deregulation Act]], 1978]]

In 1977, Carter appointed [[Alfred E. Kahn]] to lead the [[Civil Aeronautics Board]] (CAB). He was part of a push for deregulation of the industry, supported by leading economists, leading think tanks in Washington, a civil society coalition advocating the reform, the head of the regulatory agency, Senate leadership, the Carter administration, and even some in the airline industry. This coalition swiftly gained legislative results in 1978.<ref>{{cite book |title=Contrived Competition: Regulation and Deregulation in America |last=Vietor |first=Richard H. K. |publisher=Harvard University Press |isbn=978-0-674-43679-4 |oclc=897163998}}</ref>

Carter signed the [[Airline Deregulation Act]] into law on October 24, 1978. The main purpose of the act was to [[Airline deregulation|remove government control]] over fares, routes and market entry (of new airlines) from [[commercial aviation]]. The Civil Aeronautics Board's powers of regulation were to be phased out, eventually allowing market forces to determine routes and fares. The Act did not remove or diminish the [[Federal Aviation Administration]]'s regulatory powers over airline safety.<ref>{{cite book |title=Practical Applications in Business Aviation Management |isbn=978-1-60590-770-3 |last1=Cannon |first1=James R. |last2=Richey |first2=Franklin D. |year=2012|publisher=Government Institutes}}</ref>

In 1978, Carter signed a bill into law "allowing homebrewing and small-scale craft brewing to operate legally".<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.newscentermaine.com/article/money/business/small-business/maine-craft-brew-industry-president-jimmy-carter-homebrewing-small-scale-breweries/97-44c37318-3b14-447c-a92b-cbbbb33f929b#:~:text=In+1978,+Carter+signed+HR,first+licensed+craft+brewery+opened.|title=From White House to brew houses: How Jimmy Carter sparked a craft beer revival|date=December 31, 2024|website=newscentermaine.com}}</ref> The new law deregulated the American beer industry by making it legal to sell [[malt]], [[hops]], and [[yeast]] to American [[Homebrewing|home brewers]] for the first time since the 1920 beginning of [[prohibition in the United States]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://motherjones.com/tom-philpott/2011/08/beer-charts |title=Beer Charts of the Day |first=Tom |last=Philpott |work=[[Mother Jones (magazine)|Mother Jones]] |date=August 17, 2011 |access-date=December 10, 2011 |archive-date=December 18, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111218221821/https://motherjones.com/tom-philpott/2011/08/beer-charts |url-status=live}}</ref> This deregulation led to an increase in home brewing that by the 2000s had developed into a strong craft [[Microbrewery|microbrew]] culture in the United States.<ref>{{Cite web |date=April 5, 2022 |title=Brewers Association Releases Annual Craft Brewing Industry Production Report and Top 50 Producing Craft Brewing Companies for 2021 |work=Brewers Association |url=https://www.brewersassociation.org/press-releases/brewers-association-releases-annual-craft-brewing-industry-production-report-and-top-50-producing-craft-brewing-companies-for-2021/ |access-date=February 19, 2023 |archive-date=February 9, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230209063838/https://www.brewersassociation.org/press-releases/brewers-association-releases-annual-craft-brewing-industry-production-report-and-top-50-producing-craft-brewing-companies-for-2021/ |url-status=live}}</ref>

==== Chrysler bailout ====
{{Further information|Chrysler Corporation Loan Guarantee Act of 1979}}
In the late 1970s, the [[Chrysler|Chrysler Cooperation]]—one of the "[[Big Three (automobile manufacturers)|Big Three]]" automakers in the U.S.—faced near-certain bankruptcy as it projected a loss of $1{{spaces}}billion.<ref name="derg55">[https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-kansas-city-times-chrysler-aid-plan/161339133/ Chrysler Aid Plan Signed] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241226111753/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-kansas-city-times-chrysler-aid-plan/161339133/ |date=December 26, 2024 }}. ''[[The Kansas City Times]]''. January 8, 1980. Retrieved December 22, 2024.</ref> Carter proposed that the company forgo salary increases and bonuses, saying that it might be done "without decimating the company or putting it on its knees", but the company had already frozen wage increases and bonuses months before, to no avail.<ref>[https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-hamilton-spectator-auto-firm-says-sa/161338413/ Auto firm says sacrifices made] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241226103638/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-hamilton-spectator-auto-firm-says-sa/161338413/ |date=December 26, 2024 }}. ''[[The Hamilton Spectator]]''. August 13, 1979. Retrieved December 22, 2024.</ref> In 1979, Congress began working on a [[bailout]] plan for Chrysler, led by Congressman [[James J. Blanchard]]. Carter assembled a team that included Vice President Mondale and Assistant Domestic Policy Adviser [[David Rubenstein]] to secure a $1.5&nbsp;billion loan guarantee.<ref name="vr55b">Howard, Phoebe Wall (December 31, 2024). [https://www.freep.com/story/money/cars/chrysler/2024/12/31/jimmy-carter-jim-blanchard-chrysler-bailout/77347439007/ Chrysler rescue of 80,000 jobs during Carter administration almost didn't happen] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250101234706/https://www.freep.com/story/money/cars/chrysler/2024/12/31/jimmy-carter-jim-blanchard-chrysler-bailout/77347439007/ |date=January 1, 2025 }}. ''[[Detroit Free Press]]''. Retrieved January 1, 2025.</ref>

In December, Congress passed the [[Chrysler Corporation Loan Guarantee Act of 1979]] to bail Chrysler out with $3.5{{spaces}}billion (equivalent to ${{Inflation|US-GDP|3.5|1980|r=1}}{{spaces}}billion in {{Inflation-year|US-GDP}}) in aid.{{sfn|Kaufman|Kaufman|2006|p=183}} The bill turned over $162&nbsp;million in stock to Chrysler's workers, eliminated around $125&nbsp;million in wage increases, and gave Chrysler $500&nbsp;million in bank loans.<ref name="derg55"/> Carter, who had initially opposed the bailout of corporations,<ref name="vr55b"/> signed it into law in January, saying that the bill saved thousands of jobs.<ref name="derg55"/> The bailout was successful at the time, but Chrysler would eventually file for bankruptcy during the [[2008 financial crisis]].<ref name="vr55b"/>

==== Healthcare ====
During his presidential campaign, Carter embraced healthcare reform akin to the [[Ted Kennedy]]–sponsored bipartisan universal [[national health insurance]].<ref>Multiple sources * {{cite news |last=Reinhold |first=Robert |date=April 17, 1976 |title=Carter proposes U.S. health plan; says he favors mandatory insurance financed from wage and general taxes |newspaper=The New York Times |page=1 |url=https://select.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=F30717FD3E5F167493C5A8178FD85F428785F9 |quote=Although Mr. Carter left some details a bit vague today, his proposal seemed almost identical to the so-called Kennedy-Corman health security plan. His position on the issue is now substantially the same as that of his chief rivals, Senator Hubert H. Humphrey, Senator Henry M. Jackson and Representative Morris K. Udall. All three are co-sponsors of the Kennedy-Corman bill. |access-date=September 16, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130521003608/https://select.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=F30717FD3E5F167493C5A8178FD85F428785F9 |archive-date=May 21, 2013}} * {{cite news |last=Auerbach |first=Stuart |date=April 17, 1976 |title=Carter gives broad outline for national health plan; cost unknown |newspaper=The Washington Post |page=A1 |url=https://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/washingtonpost_historical/access/120359627.html?FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:AI |quote=The outlines of Carter's program are close to one sponsored by Sen. Edward M. Kennedy (D-Mass.) and strongly supported by organized labor. |access-date=March 21, 2022 |archive-date=January 30, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130130082012/https://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/washingtonpost_historical/access/120359627.html?FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:AI}} * {{cite news |agency=United Press International |date=April 17, 1976 |title=Carter urges universal health plan |newspaper=Chicago Tribune |page=4 |url=https://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/chicagotribune/access/613101652.html?FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:AI |quote=Although Carter didn't provide an estimate of what his health plan would cost taxpayers, it features many proposals similar to plans suggested by others, including Sen. Edward Kennedy [D., Mass.] which are estimated to cost at least $40 billion annually. |access-date=March 21, 2022 |archive-date=January 30, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130130082000/https://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/chicagotribune/access/613101652.html?FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:AI}}</ref> Carter's proposals on healthcare while in office included a 1977 mandatory health care cost proposal,<ref>{{cite book |year=1978 |section=Hospital cost control |title=Congressional Quarterly Almanac, 95th Congress 1st Session....1977 |volume=33 |location=Washington, D.C. |publisher=Congressional Quarterly |pages=499–507 |issn=0095-6007 |oclc=1564784}}</ref> and a 1979 proposal that provided private health insurance coverage.<ref>{{cite book |year=1980 |section=National health insurance |title=Congressional Quarterly Almanac, 96th Congress 1st Session....1979 |volume=35 |location=Washington, D.C. |publisher=Congressional Quarterly |pages=536–540 |issn=0095-6007 |oclc=1564784}}</ref> The 1977 mandatory health care cost proposal was passed in the Senate,<ref>{{cite book |year=1979 |section=Hospital cost control legislation dies |title=Congressional Quarterly Almanac, 95th Congress 2nd Session....1978 |volume=34 |location=Washington, D.C. |publisher=Congressional Quarterly |pages=619–625 |issn=0095-6007 |oclc=1564784}}</ref> but later defeated in the House.<ref>{{cite book |year=1980 |chapter=House kills Carter hospital cost control plan |title=Congressional Quarterly Almanac, 96th Congress 1st Session....1979 |volume=35 |location=Washington, D.C. |publisher=Congressional Quarterly |pages=512–518 |issn=0095-6007 |oclc=1564784}}</ref> During 1978, he met with Kennedy over a compromise healthcare law that proved unsuccessful.{{sfn|Zelizer|2010|p=78}} He later said Kennedy's disagreements thwarted his plan to provide a comprehensive American health care system.<ref>{{cite book |first=Jimmy |last=Carter |author-link=Jimmy Carter |title=Keeping Faith: Memoirs of a President |publisher=Bantam Books |year=1982 |isbn=978-0-553-05023-3 |pages=[https://archive.org/details/keepingfaithmemo00cart/page/86 86–87] |url=https://archive.org/details/keepingfaithmemo00cart/page/86}}</ref>

In 1980, Carter signed into law the [[Mental Health Systems Act of 1980|Mental Health Systems (MHSA) Act]], which allocated [[block grant]]s to states to bolster community health services and provided funding to states to create and implement community-based health services. The MHSA was considered landmark legislation in mental health care.<ref>[https://www.newspapers.com/article/hattiesburg-american-mental-health-syste/156446002/ Mental Health Systems Act 'landmark' legislation, state MH director says] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241007091413/https://www.newspapers.com/article/hattiesburg-american-mental-health-syste/156446002/ |date=October 7, 2024 }}. ''Hattiesburg American''. October 30, 1980.</ref> By September 1981, the Reagan administration had repealed most of the law.<ref>Walker, Joe (September 18, 1981). [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-paducah-sun-mental-health-boss-focus/156446169/ Mental health boss focuses help call on the public] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241007091308/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-paducah-sun-mental-health-boss-focus/156446169/ |date=October 7, 2024 }}. ''The Paducah Sun''. Retrieved October 2, 2024.</ref>

==== Education ====
[[File:Jimmy Carter speaks at the Democratic Mid-Term Convention - NARA - 182660.tif|thumb|upright=1.15|Jimmy Carter speaks at the Democratic Mid-Term Convention in 1978.]]
Early into his term, Carter collaborated with Congress to fulfill his campaign promise to create a cabinet-level education department. In an address from the White House on February 28, 1978, Carter argued "Education is far too important a matter to be scattered piecemeal among various government departments and agencies, which are often busy with sometimes dominant concerns."<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/documents/elementary-and-secondary-education-remarks-announcing-the-administrations-proposals-the |title=Elementary and Secondary Education Remarks Announcing the Administration's Proposals to the Congress. (28 February 1978) |website=The American Presidency Project |last1=Peters |first1=Gerhard |last2=Woolley |first2=John T. |access-date=August 30, 2021 |archive-date=August 18, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210818211940/https://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/documents/elementary-and-secondary-education-remarks-announcing-the-administrations-proposals-the |url-status=live}}</ref> On February 8, 1979, the Carter administration released an outline of its plan to establish an education department and asserted enough support for the enactment to occur by June.<ref>{{cite news |title=Department of Education Outlined |agency=Associated Press |date=February 9, 1979 |access-date=August 30, 2021 |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=IkwNAAAAIBAJ&pg=5661,1224804 |archive-date=October 12, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211012023354/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=IkwNAAAAIBAJ&pg=5661,1224804&dq=department+of+education |url-status=live}}</ref> On October 17, the same year, Carter signed the [[Department of Education Organization Act]] into law,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/documents/department-education-organization-act-statement-signing-s-210-into-law |title=Department of Education Organization Act Statement on Signing S. 210 Into Law. (17 October 1979) |website=The American Presidency Project |last1=Peters |first1=Gerhard |last2=Woolley |first2=John T. |access-date=August 30, 2021 |archive-date=September 2, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210902142407/https://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/documents/department-education-organization-act-statement-signing-s-210-into-law |url-status=live}}</ref> establishing the [[United States Department of Education]].<ref>{{cite web |last=Kosar |first=Kevin |title=Kill the Department of Ed.? It's been done |website=[[Politico]] |date=September 23, 2015 |access-date=October 1, 2024 |url=https://www.politico.com/agenda/story/2015/09/department-of-education-history-000235/ |archive-date=October 7, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241007090954/https://www.politico.com/agenda/story/2015/09/department-of-education-history-000235/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

Carter added 43,000 children and families to the [[Head Start (program)|Head Start]] program,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://ilheadstart.org/about-ihsa/history-goals-and-values/head-start-a-historical-perspective/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131220025932/https://ilheadstart.org/about-ihsa/history-goals-and-values/head-start-a-historical-perspective/ |archive-date=December 20, 2013 |website=ilheadstart.org |title=A Historical Perspective |access-date=March 13, 2017}}</ref> while the percentage of nondefense dollars spent on education was doubled.<ref>{{cite book |title=American Presidents and Education |author=Berube, M.R. |date=1991 |publisher=Greenwood |isbn=978-0-313-27848-8 |url={{GBurl|id=CZ18F-KzLREC|p=49}} |page=49 |access-date=March 13, 2017}}</ref> In a speech on November 1, 1980, Carter stated his administration had extended Head Start to migrant children.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/documents/brownsville-texas-remarks-rally-with-area-residents |title=Brownsville, Texas Remarks at a Rally With Area Residents. (1 November 1980) |website=The American Presidency Project |last1=Peters |first1=Gerhard |last2=Woolley |first2=John T. |access-date=August 30, 2021 |archive-date=December 12, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211212140544/https://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/documents/brownsville-texas-remarks-rally-with-area-residents |url-status=live}}</ref>

==== LGBTQ rights ====
During Carter's administration, the United States Foreign Service "lifted its ban on gay and lesbian personnel". In 1977, the Carter administration became the first U.S. presidential administration to invite gay and lesbian rights activists to the White House to discuss federal policy with regard to ending employment discrimination in the federal government on the basis of sexual orientation and related issues.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2024/12/jimmy-carter-has-died-at-the-age-of-100-he-invited-the-first-gay-activists-to-the-white-house/|title=Jimmy Carter has died at the age of 100. He invited the first gay activists to the White House|first=John|last=Gallagher (he/him)|date=December 29, 2024|website=LGBTQ Nation}}</ref>