1980's Government and Politics | Important Events in Government and Politics, 1980–1989

1980

• 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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