House Resolution 600 praises the work and life of Jackson, 'honouring an American legend and musical icon' and was proposed by Representative Sheila Jackson Lee, a Democrat from Los Angeles who also spoke at Jackson's memorial.

But House speaker Nancy Pelosi condemned the idea, saying it would disrespect Jackson by raising the controversies that haunted his later life.

'Michael Jackson was a great, great performer,' Pelosi told reporters at her weekly press conference, explaining that a resolution would be a distraction and 'would open up two contrary views' on Jackson's life.

Pelosi was speaking just days after Representative Peter King, a Republican from Long Island, blasted the media coverage of Jackson and called the performer a 'pervert' and a 'paedophile'.