There have been rumblings that President Obama was looking at pushing for a VAT (value added tax) to help pay for the growing government under his watch. While many people, including conservatives, have theorized about (and even supported) the institution of a VAT, they have done so with the idea that it would replace the current income tax system, not be a supplement to it.
To forestall the bubbling movement, Sen. John McCain submitted the following amendment (SA 3724):

It is the sense of the Senate that the Value Added Tax increase will cripple families on fixed income and only further push back America’s economic recovery.

The measure passed 85-13 (2 no-votes).
Among the 13 who voted against this simple declaration were Reed and Whitehouse. So, on the same day that citizens rallied across the country–and even in their own home state–RI Senators Reed and Whitehouse affirmed their support for taxing all Americans even more. Blind ideology knows no discretion, I suppose.