In February 1961, Thurmond stated his support for imposing quotas per country and category on textile imports; noting that the same practice was being imposed by other countries. He added that American industry would be destroyed by government subsidies that would convert the textile industry to other fields. He later opposed legislation that "would give the president unprecedented authority to lower or wipe out tariff wall would provide for the first time broad government relief to industries and workers", the only Democrat to do so.