WASHINGTON – House Speaker Nancy Pelosi shut the door Thursday to a resolution honoring Michael Jackson because debate on the symbolic measure could raise "contrary views" about the pop star's life.
Lawmakers are free to use House speeches "to express their sympathy or their praise any time that they wish," said Pelosi, D-Calif. "I don't think it's necessary for us to have a resolution."
A resolution sponsored by Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee, D-Texas, cites some of the singer's charitable acts and proclaims him an American legend, musical icon and world humanitarian.
Even before Pelosi's comments, some Democrats said privately they did not support the resolution and a divisive debate would hurt House efforts to muster the votes for priorities such as health care and climate change.
Rep. Peter King, R-N.Y., who posted a video on YouTube calling Michael Jackson a "pervert" and a "pedophile," has pledged to do all he could to block the resolution.
Michael Jackson was acquitted in 2005 of charges that he molested a 13-year-old boy. Those allegations, and his admission that children slept in his bed at his home but nothing sexual occurred, have led some members of Congress to put distance between themselves and any formal honor for the entertainer.
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13 comments:
Peter King is a tireless self promoter trying to make news on Jackson's death as I stated earlier. This is a good move however. Jackson was and entertainer and should be treated as such. No resolution should be necessary by the Congress.
Finally the Dems are using some common sense. There's no way to profit from it so I guess it was futile.
They were not sent to Washington to put together resolutions for people who die!
Get to WORK fixing this country's problems!!
This shows the public how concerned the Democrats are in solving serious problems this country has. This is not representing all the citizens. ridiculous
Yes the Rebulicans would never do anything to profit in the political arena.
Concerned Retiree,
Pelosi turning down a stupid resolution about MJ is a bad thing?
No, ONE Democrat put it forward. The key Democrats nixed it.
Peter King is an opportunist. If he cared so much, he would have spoken up while MJ was alive.
I don't support the resolution either. If they wanted to honor a celebrity for charity work, why not Paul Newman when he died?
I acknowledge MJ's contributions, I acknowledge his faults. But please, we have a nation to fix.
Mr. Jackson finally succeeded in his Suicide Wish..Let this tired man Rest in Peace. No further tributes or Continual coverage of a mentally ill man is necessary
geh head, break my heart
Sheila jackson lee, D from Texas authored a proposal for resolution
Pelosi used good judgement for once...now if she would just do that regarding matters that are truly important.
It is ridiculous that such a resolution was even proposed when we have far larger and important fish to fry.
Again, blinded by the bling...
Political grandstanding, grannydragon. She wanted her face on the cover of her hometown newspaper... for votes, of course.
Wanna be outraged? Go to the Thomas.loc website and search for bills that are "honorary" or "commemorative" in nature. It's stupid how many bills like this make it to the floor. Almost as stupid as the UNITED STATES SENATE debating about steroids in Baseball.
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