Bill · S.Res. 281· Senate(119-SRES-281)
A resolution commemorating the 95th anniversary of the enactment of the Tariff Act of 1930.
- Introduced
- 6/17/2025
- Last activity
- 6/17/2025 — Referred to the Committee on Finance. (text: CR S3437-3438)
- Sponsored by
- Maria Cantwell
- Cosponsors
- - 3 - 0
- Introduced
- In Committee
A Senate resolution is the Senate speaking for itself: stating a position, honouring someone, or setting its own rules. Adopting it is the whole process. Once the Senate agrees to it, it is officially the Senate's word; it is not a law, so the House and the President have no part in it.
What this bill would do
This resolution commemorates the 95th anniversary of the Tariff Act of 1930, also known as the Smoot-Hawley Tariff Act. The text reflects on the historical consequences of the act, noting how it raised tariffs to protect domestic industries. It describes how these actions led to foreign retaliation and contributed significantly to the Great Depression. The Senate uses this occasion to highlight the benefits of an open, rules-based international trading system. Finally, the resolution commits to supporting policies that encourage economic growth and avoid past mistakes.
Yes· 3 of 9
Does this make trade with other countries easier?+6
The Senate affirms the importance of an open, rules-based international trading system.
Would business owners be better off under this?+5
The resolution highlights benefits for manufacturers and those seeking market access.
Would farmers be better off under this?+5
The resolution explicitly notes that rules-based trade reduces production costs for farmers.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Lower Production Costs: A rules-based trade policy can reduce the costs of production for farmers, manufacturers, and construction firms in the United States (Section 3).
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Consumer Benefits: Open trade helps provide consumers in the United States with a larger variety of affordable goods (Section 3).
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Market Access: An open trading system opens vast foreign markets to exports from the United States (Section 3).
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Economic Growth: The resolution promotes trade and economic policies intended to encourage economic growth (Section 4).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Economic Instability: The text notes that the original Tariff Act of 1930 contributed to the Great Depression (Section 2).
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Loss of Export Markets: Historical data shows that previous steep tariff increases led to a dramatic reduction in international trade and a decline in farm and manufacturing exports (Whereas clauses).
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Increased Unemployment: The document cites that the economic effects of such tariffs contributed to an unemployment rate that spiked to approximately 23 percent (Whereas clauses).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Business Owners+5Good For Farmers+5Good For Low Income Households+3Good For Middle Class Households+3
- Economy And Finance
- Improves Economic Growth+5Improves Consumer Protection+3Increases Job Creation+3
- National Security And Foreign Policy
- Improves International Trade+6Improves International Alliances+4
- 6/23/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 6/17/2025
- Referred to the Committee on Finance. (text: CR S3437-3438)
- 2 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in Senate
Amy KlobucharDemocrat · Minnesota
Jeanne ShaheenDemocrat · New Hampshire
Peter WelchDemocrat · Vermont