WASHINGTON — In an odd squabble between politician and pop star, the pop star got the last word.

        Sen. George Voinovich boycotted a Senate hearing Thursday on mountaintop mining because of the appearance of Kevin Richardson of the Backstreet Boys. The Ohio Republican called the decision to invite Mr. Richardson a mockery of the subcommittee and the environmental issues involved.

        “This witness was brought in at the last minute as a media stunt,” said Mr. Voinovich, who added that the singer was the latest of several celebrities to appear before Congress on behalf of pet causes. “We're either serious about the issues or we're running a sideshow. Someone needs to make up their mind.”

        Mr. Richardson, 30, from Lexington in coal-rich Kentucky, has formed his own environmental foundation and has taken an interest in the damage mountaintop mining can cause. Dressed in a suit and tie and without the standard Hollywood entourage, the singer told lawmakers that destructive mining practices are scarring land in Appalachia and choking streams and rivers with waste.

        After his testimony, he took a few shots at Mr. Voinovich.

        “It's unfortunate he's not here,” Mr. Richardson said. “I could have taught him something. He could have learned something from me. I could have learned something from him.”

        He acknowledged his celebrity gives him a wider platform but said he was appearing before the subcommittee as a concerned citizen.

        Mr. Voinovich, who is more partial to polka than pop, insisted he had nothing personal against Mr. Richardson or the Backstreet Boys. He just wanted to make a point that the subcommittee's witness-selection process should not be twisted to accommodate celebrities.

        “We've probably lost the 15-year-old girl vote,” conceded Mr. Voinovich's spokesman, Scott Milburn.

Both sides wary of profiling settlement
Felons need not apply for break on charges from riots
It's getting drizzlier
Arbitrator: No sex-based pay bias for UC faculty
School explosion injures two Cinergy employees
Accused priest served in N.Ky.
City Council approves $268,000 in new spending
Crowding disrupts surgeries
Disease can't stop tenacious graduate
Flag Day celebration to light up park
Leaders, parents fight for embattled school
Mayfield may open clinic in Norwood
Obituary: Micki N. White, 53, pathfinder for policewomen
Tristate A.M. Report
BRONSON: Gay subculture
SMITH AMOS: Abuse by priests
WELLS: Clearing the records
Jury believes husband's act was defensive
Man accused of sex with girls
Reporter knows danger of war zone
Students say goodbye to school
Ohio faces crunch in highway funds
Voinovich tunes out pop star
Actions taped; woman indicted
Barlow declines to concede vote
Charge dropped in bleach case
Fire fund created to help businesses
Old school will teach history
State to fund teacher raises
Three killed in crash on I-75