Ben Cardin

We are trying to get predictability. And one thing I hear from my stakeholders: let us know what the rules are.

There is a great deal of interest in how we can deal with the inequities of a double taxation system.

You should not be steered towards a particular structure as you make your decision how to organize.

The United States needs to have relationships with countries sometimes we disagree with in order to advance our causes.

What should we be asking from India in regards to how do we handle Pakistan in our relationship with India?

I do not quite understand the full impact of that relationship.

We cannot put everything on the people, particularly if the civil societies are under attack.

What should we be asking India to do?

But how could you have that many slaves? I mean, seriously. Do they have just zero prosecution abilities, zero law enforcement?

How does a country like this have 12 million to 14 million slaves in the year 2016? How does that happen?

I can also bring up their anti-conversion laws that are problematic in regards to how they are dealing with religious freedom.

This is a democratic ally, friend. Are we being candid with them in regards to what is expected in regards to trafficking?

We need to know that we have a reliable partner in India in fighting terrorism.

I just hope that we are getting candid discussions.

Clearly anti-terrorism is going to be a huge issue, fighting forms of extremism.

It is important that this committee have this hearing to look at the deepening ties between India and the United States.

I just think that it is useful for Congress to reflect on that because if you look at it in absolutes today--and obviously, there are dynamics occurring in health coverage that we have to deal with.

I am not saying it has been solved. I am saying this is where we were before the passage of the Affordable Care Act.

Of course, the other thing we saw is, of course, some companies just terminated their policies because the premiums were unpredictable and they just could not do it.

In Maryland, the uninsured rates have dropped from 13 percent down to about 7.5 percent.

The number one issue, by far, that was brought up when we had small businesses before us was the availability of affordable quality health insurance.

I am a strong supporter of the Affordable Care Act. I make no pretense otherwise. However, I think it can be improved.

Senator Benjamin Cardin has introduced a progressive consumption tax proposal that has much in common with my plan, and I heartily endorse his efforts and his Progressive Consumption Tax Act of 2014.

Not necessarily. It depends on the type of structure that you have, and that is why most people in that circumstance have used pass-through entities rather than using the C corporation.

I just really want to throw one thing out, Mr. Chairman, that I do not think has been mentioned yet, and that is, as we look at these proposals, we also have to look at the impact they have on tax credits that we currently have in law.