Jimmy Carter proposed dozens of important pieces of legislation over his presidency. Issues that he addressed included ecology, conservation, deregulation of several industries and foreign policy. Some examples of President Carter's legislation are written below:
The Panama Canal Treaty:
President Carter saw the returning of the Panama Canal to Panama as a key step in his goal for improving U.S. relations with Latin-America. Oponents, however, felt that America should keep control of the Canal, arguing that "We built it, We paid for it, it's Ours." Carter proposed this legislation to the Senate in April 1978 and it barely passed. Carter and Panamanian Chief of Government, Omar Torrijos, signed the Panama Canal Treaty and Neutrality Treaty. Under this agreement, America would relinquish control of the canal by 2000 and guaranteed neutrality. U.S. relations with Panama were fine in the early 1980's, but by the mid-1980's with Panama under the leadership of General Manuel Antonio Noriega, relations became poor.
The Airline Deregulation Act:
The Airline Deregulation Act was signed into law on October 28, 1978. Before this piece of legislature was passed, the Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB) regulated everything from fares to schedules and all domestic air transport. In Congress and other places as well, there became a popular belief that the CAB was haulting growth and carrying out inefficient practices. Jimmy Carter proposed this legislation in aim of removing government control and opening the deregulated passenger aim transport industry to market forces. These changes were carried out very rapidly and since 1978, nine major airlines and 100 smaller airlines have gone bankrupt.
Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act:
The Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act of 1980 was approved on December 2, 1980. This act declared National Parks, National Wildlife Refuges, Wild and Scenic Rivers, and National Forest Systems in various public lands in Alaska. Under the act, 17.54 acres of land were provided as refuge. The act also provided management guidance for all public lands in Alaska. Provisions regarding oil and gas leasing, hunting, fishing, trapping, mining, wilderness and public access. President Carter was ver concerned with ecology and proposed many pieces of legislature such as this one.
