The following is a timeline of the presidency of Jimmy Carter from his inauguration as the 39th president of the United States on January 20, 1977, to December 31, 1977.
January January 20 – Jimmy Carter's presidency begins with his inauguration at the United States Capitol in Washington, D.C.; the oath of office is administered by Chief Justice Warren E. Burger. January 20 – In less than six hours after Carter's swearing-in, the Senate approves Cyrus Vance for United States Secretary of State, Harold Brown for United States Secretary of Defense, W. Michael Blumenthal for United States Secretary of the Treasury, Bob Bergland for United States Secretary of Agriculture, Juanita Kreps for United States Secretary of Commerce, Patricia Roberts Harris for United States Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, Cecil Andrus for United States Secretary of the Interior, and Brock Adams for United States Secretary of Transportation.Senate Approves 8 Carter Cabinet Nominees (January 21, 1977) January 21 – Carter fulfills a campaign promise by issuing an executive order declaring unconditional amnesty for Vietnam War-era draft evaders. January 21 – Carter urges fuel conservation across the United States alongside an order to government buildings for the cutting back on heating of oil, gas and coal, stating his confidence in the ability of Americans to respond effectively to his wishes. January 22 – During a White House reception, Carter says he has not made a choice on whether to nominate James M. Gavin for Director of the Central Intelligence Agency. January 23 – President Carter attends the swearing-in of twelve cabinet members during a White House ceremony.Oath Of Office Given To 12 Cabinet Members (January 24, 1977) January 23 – White House Counsel Robert Lipshutz says he has resigned from an unnamed club due to its past affiliation with discrimination toward blacks and some non-Jewish members.Lipshutz Drops Club Membership (January 24, 1977) January 24 – President Carter orders the Federal Energy Administration rescind regulation amendments exempting motor gasoline within the prices of FEA and allocating controls by the following March 1.Gasoline Decontrol Announcement of Modification of Federal Energy Administration Regulations. (January 24, 1977) January 25 – Agriculture Secretary Bergland says he will visit the orange groves of Florida the following week to get a look at the 250 million in damages reported from the record freeze of the previous week.Bergland Tours Cold-Damaged Areas Monday (January 26, 1977) January 25 – It is announced Secretary of State Vance will tour the Middle East to listen to leaders in Israel, Egypt, Jordan, Syria, Saudi Arabia, and Lebanon the following month.Vance To Visit Middle East Leaders (January 26, 1977) January 25 – Director of the Office of Management and Budget Bert Lance says President Carter's economic program may include a 50 dollar payment for each American including non-taxpayers and these payments would come in the form of a tax rebate for each personal exemption claimed by taxpayers during the previous year of 1976.$50 Tax Rebate Is Considered (January 26, 1977)Americans May Get $50 Rebate (January 26, 1977) January 27 – President Carter delivers an address at the annual National Prayer Breakfast in the International Ballroom of the Washington Hilton Hotel during the morning.National Prayer Breakfast Remarks at the Annual Breakfast. (January 27, 1977) January 28 – President Carter issues Proclamation 4484, designating the week beginning in the following two days as "International Clergy Week in the United States."Proclamation 4484—International Clergy Week, 1977 (January 28, 1977) January 29 – President Carter holds a meeting with his cabinet in the Cabinet Room and addresses the energy shortage to reporters during the afternoon.The Energy Shortage Remarks at a Meeting With the Cabinet. (January 29, 1977) January 30 – President Carter tours the Westinghouse Plant in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania to emphasize the American energy crisis. Carter pledges a comprehensive energy policy by April 20.Carter Visits Factory, Calls For Sacrifice (January 31, 1977)The Energy Shortage Remarks and a Question-and-Answer Session at the Westinghouse Plant in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (January 30, 1977) January 30 – President Carter delivers an address on his recent proposals to Congress over emergency legislation to assist with natural gas shortages in the South Portico at the White House during the afternoon.The Energy Shortage Remarks on Returning From the Trip to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (January 30, 1977) January 31 – President Carter sends Congress a message outlining his proposal for an economic recovery package.Economic Recovery Program – Message to the Congress. (January 31, 1977) January 31 – U.N. Ambassador Young makes his first formal appearance at the U.N. headquarters. Young says the US will play a supporting role during the negotiations over solving the racial issues in South Africa and admits the difficulty behind the US attempting to "assume responsibility for the problems of Africa."Young Says U.S. Eyes Africa Role (February 1, 1977) January 31 – In a vote of 91 to 2, the Senate votes to give Carter the emergency authority so he can respond to the natural gas crisis. The sole senators to vote against the legislation are James Abourezk and John Tower. Senate leaders warned modifications would damage the legislation, leading to withdrawal of proposals.Senate Passes Gas Bill (February 1, 1977) January 31 – President Carter issues Executive Order 11968.Executive Order 11968—Withholding of Income or Employment Taxes by Federal Agencies (January 31, 1977)
February February 1 – President Carter announces his nomination of John O'Leary for Administrator of the Federal Energy Administration.Federal Energy Administration Nomination of John O'Leary to be Administrator. (February 1, 1977) February 2 – President Carter announces his nomination of Paul C. Warnke for Director of the United States Arms Control and Disarmament Agency and special SALT negotiator.United States Arms Control and Disarmament Agency Nomination of Paul C. Warnke To Be Director. (February 2, 1977) February 2 – President Carter signs the Emergency Natural Gas Act of 1977 into law during an Oval Office signing ceremony. President Carter says the legislation authorizes emergency powers and action on the part of the president to address natural gas emergencies.Emergency Natural Gas Act of 1977 Remarks on Signing S. 474 and Related Documents. (February 2, 1977) February 2 – President Carter issues Proclamation 4485, declaring the existence of a natural gas emergency.Proclamation 4485—Declaring a Natural Gas Emergency (February 2, 1977) February 2 – President Carter issues Executive Order 11969, creating an administration in conjunction with the Emergency Natural Gas Act.Executive Order 11969—Administration of the Emergency Natural Gas Act of 1977 (February 2, 1977) February 3 – President Carter announces his request of Clark Clifford that the latter "undertake a special mission to Greece, Turkey, and Cyprus as his personal emissary."President's Personal Emissary to Greece, Turkey, and Cyprus Designation of Clark M. Clifford (February 3, 1977) February 4 – President Carter and Vice President Mondale address participants of the United States Senate Youth Program in the State Dining Room of the White House.United States Senate Youth Program Remarks of the President and Vice President to Participants in the Program. (February 4, 1977) February 4 – President Carter announces the nomination of Richard B. Parker for Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to the Republic of Lebanon.United States Ambassador to Lebanon Nomination of Richard B. Parker (February 4, 1977) February 4 – In a message to Congress, President Carter transmits proposed legislation that if enacted will allow the president to submit reorganization plans to the Congress.Reorganization Plan Authority Message to the Congress Transmitting Proposed Legislation. (February 4, 1977) February 4 – President Carter addresses reporters on his submitting of the proposed reorganization plan legislation to Congress in the Briefing Room.Reorganization Plan Authority Remarks on Transmitting Proposed Legislation to the Congress. (February 4, 1977) February 4 – President Carter announces four nominations for positions in the Transportation Department.Department of Transportation Nomination of Four Persons (February 4, 1977) February 4 – President Carter transmits the Annual Report of the Railroad Retirement Board for fiscal year 1976 in a message to Congress.Railroad Retirement Board Message to the Congress Transmitting an Annual Report. (February 4, 1977) February 7 – President Carter announces the nomination of W. Graham Claytor, Jr. for United States Secretary of the Navy.Secretary of the Navy Nomination of W. Graham Claytor, It. (February 7, 1977) February 7 – President Carter announces the nomination of Stansfield Turner for Director of Central Intelligence.Director of Central Intelligence Nomination of Stansfield Turner. (February 7, 1977) February 8 – President Carter holds his first press conference since taking office in Room 450 of the Old Executive Office Building, answering questions from reporters on foreign arm sales, his office's veto power, Paul Warnke, standards of conduct for public officials, nuclear arms reduction, SALT negotiations, public works expenditures, federal pay raise, the oil energy, relations with Congress, Douglas Robinson, Democratic congressional leadership, and the Soviet Union.The President's News Conference (February 8, 1977) February 8 – President Carter announces the designation of Sol M. Linowitz for part-time co-negotiator of the Panama Canal negotiations.Special Representative for the Panama Canal Negotiations Designation of Sol M. Linowitz (February 8, 1977) February 9 – President Carter announces the nomination of Evan S. Dobelle for rank of Ambassador while serving as Chief of Protocol for the White House.Chief of Protocol for the White House Nomination of Evan S. Dobelle for the Rank of Ambassador. (February 9, 1977) February 9 – President Carter delivers an address in the auditorium at the Department of Labor, answering questions on daycare centers, government flexi-time, the energy rebate proposal, fiscal policy, zero-base budgeting, reorganization of the Labor Department, federal regulations, the naming of a new director of OSHA, and relations between the federal and state governments.Department of Labor Remarks and a Question-and-Answer Session With Department Employees (February 9, 1977) February 9 – President Carter delivers an address to members of the American Textile Manufacturers Institute in the Family Theater in the White House.American Textile Manufacturers Institute Remarks to Members of the Institute. (February 9, 1977) February 10 – In a statement, President Carter notes the formation of the Alliance to Save Energy and his request of Vice President Mondale to serve as Honorary Cochairman of the non-profit.Alliance To Save Energy Statement on the Formation of the Organization. (February 10, 1977) February 10 – President Carter delivers an address on priorities of his administration in the Cash Room of the Treasury Department and answers questions on his department visits, government reorganization, federal regulations, tax reform, and government responsiveness.Department of the Treasury Remarks and a Question-and-Answer Session With Department Employees (February 10, 1977) February 11 – President Carter announces the nomination of Daniel J. Meador for Assistant Attorney General.Department of Justice Nomination of Daniel J. Meador To Be an Assistant Attorney General. (February 11, 1977)