"We [The Republican Party] are joined in the intention to write the best tariff bill ever enacted. It will help the farmers. It will help industries in need of protection. It will contribute... to the prosperity of the American people."

​​​​​​​- Reed Smoot, 1929

"Protection is as necessary to the United States as it ever was.... Powerful forces are at work to break down American protection.... No greater calamity could come to the United States and our people, than blind obedience to these forces."

​​​​​​​- Reed Smoot

Willis Hawley was the other sponsor the Tariff Act. He was a Republican Oregan Representative and served as the Chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee from 1928 to 1931.

"I can only say that the tariff is placed in order to continue the industry in this country [United States], which is the cheapest producer of that commodity in the world."

​​​​​​​- Willis C. Hawley, 1929

Herbert Hoover was one of the key proponents of the Smoot-Hawley Tariff Act. During his presidential campaign in 1928, he promised tariffs for the struggling agricultural sector.

"I am squarely for a protective tariff. I am against the proposal of "a competitive tariff for revenue" as advocated by our opponents. That would place our farmers and our workers in competition with peasant and sweated-labor products from abroad."

​​​​​​​- Herbert Hoover, 1928