Opinion
31 Mar 22

Bono visits Capitol Hill and pushes for global access to Covid vaccines

U2 at 3arena by Miguel Ruiz

U2's lead singer is in Washington D.C. to receive the Fulbright Prize for International Understanding.

U2's Bono visited Capitol Hill in Washington D.C. yesterday afternoon – speaking to lawmakers there about a global response to ensuring equal access to Covid-19 vaccines.

He was in the area ahead of a ceremony in D.C.'s Omni Shoreham Hotel today, March 31, where he'll be presented with the Fulbright Prize for International Understanding – for his "commitment to seek justice by fighting to end extreme poverty, tackle global health crises, and spur economic development in the poorest parts of the planet." Former President of Ireland Mary Robinson was previously awarded the prize in 1999.

On Twitter, Fox News' congressional correspondent Chad Pergram shared an image of Bono with Senator Patrick Leahy, the Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, noting that Bono was pushing "for distribution of the COVID vaccine around the world to underserved countries."

ONE, the global movement co-founded by Bono and other activists, have been advocating "to ensure every one of us has equal access to vaccines, no matter where in the world we live."

Several influential American politicians shared photos with the U2 frontman on social media.

"Great to see my friend Bono in Congress today as he continues his tireless advocacy for US leadership in Africa and across the developing world," wrote Democratic Senator Chris Coons. "I completely agree with him that we need to act now to pass an emergency COVID spending package with robust global assistance."

Great to see my friend Bono in Congress today as he continues his tireless advocacy for US leadership in Africa and across the developing world. I completely agree with him that we need to act now to pass an emergency COVID spending package with robust global assistance. pic.twitter.com/TpAJDRig6K

— Senator Chris Coons (@ChrisCoons) March 30, 2022

"It's a beautiful day to fight for an AIDS-free generation," stated Congresswoman Barbara Lee, sharing a selfie of herself with Bono.

It’s a beautiful day to fight for an AIDS-free generation #EndAIDS #EndHIV #Bono pic.twitter.com/6FncG31arl

— Rep. Barbara Lee (@RepBarbaraLee) March 30, 2022

During his visit, Bono also spoke with the U.S. Capitol Police – with a clip of their conversation shared on the law enforcement agency's Twitter account.

"I haven't been back since January 6th," he told the group of Capitol Police officers. "You guys saved America, as far as I'm concerned, from so much awfulness on that day. I just want to say that people around the world really respect you."

Never know who you will run into on Capitol Hill.

Thank you #Bono!

@U2 🎤 pic.twitter.com/w3QwGeCT0t

— U.S. Capitol Police (@CapitolPolice) March 30, 2022

His visit comes less than two weeks after the speaker of the US House of Representatives, Nancy Pelosi, publicly read out a poem by Bono, marking St Patrick's Day, featuring the lines: "Ireland's sorrow and pain/ Is now the Ukraine/ And Saint Patrick's name is now Zelenskyy."

See more images and commentary on Bono's visit to Capitol Hill yesterday below:

Bono on the Hill to talk to lawmakers about about funding for a global response to COVID and vaccine delivery https://t.co/faLiXQF8LN

— Jonathan Lemire (@JonLemire) March 30, 2022

Bono, of U2 and @ONECampaign, is seen in the U.S. Capitol office of @SenJohnThune on Wednesday, March 30 2022. pic.twitter.com/Ak31pzu28G

— Tom Williams (@pennstatetom) March 30, 2022

#U2's #Bono on Capitol Hill today to meet with medical researches about funding for a global response to Covid and vaccine delivery.

📸 AFP pic.twitter.com/xoaAZ6qxhV

— Fernanda Bottini (@febottini) March 30, 2022