“Bono is a celebrity that is using his status to improve the lives of others,” said Rehberg, a member of the Foreign Operations Appropriations Subcommittee.  “He’s an authority on the success of U.S foreign aid in Africa and what our government can do to ensure that taxpayer dollars devoted to this kind of assistance are well-spent and accomplishing the goals of democracy and economic development.” 

Rehberg asked Bono, “Aid to Senegal is waiting to be approved by the Millennium Challenge Corporation.  What do we do if their goals don’t match those of the U.S? How do we get around the fact that their vision might be different than ours?”        “Senegal is one of the bright students,” Bono told Rehberg.  “If their aid is rejected on the basis of ‘tough love,’ that will work.  They’ll see their neighbors prospering with the help of U.S. aid while they’re arguing amongst themselves.”

Earlier this year, Rehberg traveled to Benin and Senegal to evaluate progress made by the countries applying for U.S. assistance through the Millennium Challenge Program.