U2 lead singer Bono appealed to Congress on Tuesday for a “Marshall Plan” to provide aid to the Middle East much like the massive relief the United States provided to rebuild Europe and counter extremism after World War II.
He offered one novel suggestion for countering extremism.
“Don’t laugh,” Bono said, suggesting that the Senate “send in” comedians Amy Schumer, Chris Rock and Sacha Baron Cohen to counteract the militants’ violent message.
“If you laugh at them when they’re goose-stepping down the street, then it takes away their power,” he said.
Bono urged U.S. lawmakers to act quickly to counteract “an existential crisis” in Europe, with nationalist parties rising in several countries and even Britain considering leaving the European Union.
The hearing took place as lawmakers put the final touches on a new spending plan that may include steep international aid cuts.
But Republican Senator Lindsey Graham, the panel’s chairman, has called for a multibillion-dollar aid program to address the crisis in the Middle East and deal with millions of refugees fleeing violence in Syria, Iraq and other countries.
Backers of the plan say defeating Islamic State and other militant groups, and preventing the rise of new ones, will require humanitarian aid and economic development.
Kelly Clements, deputy high commissioner of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, said: “We have a moment now that we haven’t had in decades” in terms of political attention to the issue.
Graham will have a difficult time getting support for a Middle East aid program from his fellow Republicans, who tend to be skeptical about international organizations like the United Nations and generally want tight controls on government spending.
At the hearing, Republican senators expressed concern about being effective for the American taxpayer and roles for partnerships with private companies.
— Reuters