WASHINGTON -- The controversy that has followed Michael Jackson, in life and in death, reached the halls of Congress yesterday, as House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., said she saw no point to scheduling a vote on a resolution honoring the pop icon.

Senior lawmakers feared that the resolution would set off an ugly debate that would hurt Congress' image and upset the Jackson family.

They were probably right, given that Rep. John A. Yarmuth, D-Ky., stormed off the House floor during a moment of silence for Mr. Jackson, telling radio talk-show host John Ziegler he was "almost nauseated" by it.

And then there was Rep. Pete King, R-N.Y., who, in bemoaning what he considered excessive media coverage since Mr. Jackson's death June 25, called the pop star a "low life" and "pervert." Rep. Bobby L. Rush, D-Ill., responded that Mr. King "should be ashamed of himself for politically exploiting the tragic death of the music superstar" and called on him to apologize to Mr. Jackson's family and fans.

Ms. Pelosi said she did not think it was necessary for Congress to have a resolution to honor Mr. Jackson. "What I have said to my colleagues over the years ... is that there is opportunity on the floor of the House to express their sympathy or their praise any time that they wish," she said. "A resolution, I think, would open up to contrary views that are not necessary at this time."

Rep. Barbara Lee, D-Calif., chairwoman of the Congressional Black Caucus, declined comment yesterday on Ms. Pelosi's decision.

The resolution was sponsored by Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee, D-Texas, who spoke at the Jackson memorial service in Los Angeles earlier in the week. It called for honoring Michael Jackson as a "global humanitarian and a noted leader in the fight against worldwide hunger and medical crises" and celebrating him as an "accomplished contributor to the worlds of arts and entertainment."

Some lawmakers have gone to the House floor to pay tribute to Mr. Jackson.

"I know some people in this esteemed chamber would consider all of the hoopla surrounding the death of Michael Jackson to be unnecessary," Rep. Hank Johnson, D-Ga., said this week. "I know there are some generations that preceded mine that have no idea about the music of Michael Jackson."

Mr. Yarmuth, in an interview, said he had walked out of the chamber during the moment of silence because he was "upset that we were interrupting the legislative business. ....

"It had nothing to do with [Jackson]." he said. I would have said the same thing if it was Elvis."