American Decades

Important Events in Government and Politics, 1980–1989

On January 4, President Jimmy Carter reacts to the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan on December 29, 1979 by withdrawing the SALT II arms-control treaty from consideration by the United States Senate. He also places an embargo on the sale of grain and some types of electronic equipment to the Soviet Union.
On January 7, President Carter signs a bill guaranteeing $1.5 billion in loans to bail out the Chrysler Corporation.
On February 2, the news media report the results of a two-year sting operation (code name: Abscam) in which an FBI agent posing as a wealthy Arab offered bribes to elected officials. Among those arrested and eventually convicted on bribery or related charges are Sen. Harrison Williams, Jr. (D-N.J.), and Representatives John W. Jenrette, Jr. (D-S.C.), Richard Kelly (R-Fla.), Raymond Lederer (D-Pa.), John M. Murphy (D-N.Y.), Michael Myers (D-Pa.), and Frank Thompson, Jr. (D-N.J.).

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