By Amy Argetsinger and Roxanne Roberts

Ooh, who's the cute new guy on the Hill? Oh, of course: another Hollywood dude making his "lobbying" debut -- Chris Klein.

The "American Pie" star, impeccable in a pinstriped suit and slicked-back hair, testified before the House Appropriations subcommittee on the interior with other showbizzy VIPs like Wynton Marsalis, seeking $176 million for the National Endowment for the Arts. Klein described how arts programs at his Omaha high school led to his discovery and his '99 movie debut, "Election.”

So, what's it really like to work with Reese Witherspoon, asked "Access Hollywood's" Billy Bush -- no, sorry, 'scuse us, that was actually Rep. Norm Dicks (D-Wash.), during the hearing. She was "amazing," said Klein, and she gave him "a full education on what it was going to take to make it in the business.”

Okay, time for us to haze the newbiea bit. How does it feel to be asked about ex-fiancee Katie Holmes all the time? Lo-o-ong pause. Klein glanced away, tensed his jaw, reddened. "Today is all about Arts Advocacy Day and, uh, I think it's best to stay on the subject.”

Klein said he planned to linger in town today, his 28th birthday, to visit the Smithsonian museums. Cool -- anything else fun? "I can't think of anything I'd rather do than check out some history and check out some art on my birthday."