Ben Cardin actually said...

"We do not have a VAT tax system, we have an income tax system, and other countries do."

"I would just urge you, as I did in my office, to take a look at a progressive consumption tax."

"I would just urge you, on the first part, to recognize that we have to be disciplined as we deal with the Federal budget."

"I think we all would acknowledge that our income tax rates, personal and corporate, put the United States at a disadvantage in global competition and it is something we need to deal with."