Tuesday, December 19, 2006
Bono 'Alarmed' By Democrats' AIDS Fund Snub
U2 rocker Bono stormed away from meetings with incoming Democratic leaders in disappointment over their failure to commit to a previously proposed $1 billion outlay to fight AIDS.
"I'm alarmed we could not get a commitment from the Democratic leadership to prevent the loss of $1 billion in the continuing resolution to fight AIDS, malaria and extreme poverty," the rock star said in a statement after the meetings in Washington with Democrats, including incoming House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.
President Bush had proposed that amount in the past, the New York Post reported.
"I don't know who's to blame,” Bono said. "Democrats are blaming Republicans, Republicans are blaming Democrats.
"But the million people who were expecting [mosquito] bed nets don’t know who to blame. They just know that a promise made by the United States to keep their families safe is in danger of being broken next year.”
According to the Post, Congressional leaders are expected to freeze the budgets of federal agencies, making it unlikely additional funds will be provided.
U2 rocker Bono stormed away from meetings with incoming Democratic leaders in disappointment over their failure to commit to a previously proposed $1 billion outlay to fight AIDS.
"I'm alarmed we could not get a commitment from the Democratic leadership to prevent the loss of $1 billion in the continuing resolution to fight AIDS, malaria and extreme poverty," the rock star said in a statement after the meetings in Washington with Democrats, including incoming House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.
President Bush had proposed that amount in the past, the New York Post reported.
"I don't know who's to blame,” Bono said. "Democrats are blaming Republicans, Republicans are blaming Democrats.
"But the million people who were expecting [mosquito] bed nets don’t know who to blame. They just know that a promise made by the United States to keep their families safe is in danger of being broken next year.”
According to the Post, Congressional leaders are expected to freeze the budgets of federal agencies, making it unlikely additional funds will be provided.
