Those were the days:

Section 611 of the Foreign Relations Authorization Act of 1979, (Public Law 95-426) enacted by the U.S. Congress and signed into law by President Jimmy Carter on October 7^th, 1978.

Section 611(a) The Congress finds that –

(1) United States citizens living abroad should be provided fair and equitable treatment by the United States Government with regard to taxation, citizenship of progeny, veterans’ benefits, voting rights, Social Security Benefits, and other obligations, rights, and benefits; and

(2) such fair and equitable treatment would be facilitated by a periodic review of the statutes and regulations affecting Americans living abroad.

(b) Not later than January 20, 1979, the President shall transmit to the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the chairman of the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate a report which –

(1)  identifies all United States statutes and regulations which discriminate against United States citizens living abroad; and

 (2) evaluates each such discriminatory practice; and

 (3) recommends legislation and any other remedial action the President finds appropriate to eliminate unfair or inequitable treatment of Americans living abroad.

Apparently this led to the founding of American Citizens Abroad.