Dec 28, 1977 · legislation
Carter signs IEEPA, replacing broad emergency trade powers
President Carter signed the International Emergency Economic Powers Act on December 28, 1977, replacing the Trading with the Enemy Act as the primary source of presidential emergency economic authority in peacetime. Congress drafted IEEPA to limit presidential power after a Senate investigation found the country had been in a continuous state of emergency for more than 40 years. The law required the president to declare a national emergency, consult with Congress, and justify emergency actions tied to a foreign threat. Carter first used IEEPA the following year to freeze Iranian government assets after the Tehran embassy hostage seizure.
Oct 28, 1977 · legislation
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.