Ben Cardin actually said...

"We want the best policy objectives. Future Congresses are going to act regardless of what we do in this Congress on these recommendations."

"I think you have the right formula, and each element will be controversial."

"We are certainly realistic to know that your proposals are going to be politically controversial wherever you went."

"The argument I hear the most against consumption taxes is progressivity, but we can make a consumption tax progressive, and we have ways of doing it."