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October 28, 1977legislationforeign policyexecutive powercivil libertiessanctionsexecutive powerFirst Amendment

Congress enacts International Emergency Economic Powers Act

President Carter signed the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, granting the president broad authority to impose economic sanctions during declared national emergencies. IEEPA replaced portions of the Trading with the Enemy Act and was designed as a limited emergency tool. Congress included the Berman Amendment to exempt informational materials and protect First Amendment speech from sanctions authority.