Congressional Action to Protect Terri Schiavo

A bill to protect Terri Schiavo quickly sailed through the U.S. House of Representatives and a similar measure is now under consideration in the U.S. Senate.

It is encouraging to see Congress act so swiftly in this life and death matter.  With Terri's feeding tube scheduled to be removed Friday at 1:00pm ET, there has been a flurry of legislative activity on Capitol Hill in an effort to protect this Florida woman.

This success is the result of hard work by members of Florida's Congressional delegation - Congressman Dave Weldon and Senator Mel Martinez.  Both introduced a measure designed to protect Terri's constitutional rights.  The House bill, passed on a voice vote, would move such a case to federal court. Federal judges have twice turned down efforts by the parents to move the case out of Florida courts, citing a lack of jurisdiction.  Under the House legislation, a federal judge would decide whether withholding or withdrawing food, fluids or medical treatment from an incapacitated person violates the Constitution or U.S. law. It would apply only to incapacitated people who had not left directives dealing with being kept alive artificially and for whom a state judge had authorized the withholding of food or medical treatment.

Drew Ryun, our Director of Governmental Affairs, is working with those in the Senate to encourage passage in that chamber.  While Terri's feeding tube is scheduled to be removed tomorrow, federal legislation protecting her life -- which would be signed into law by President Bush -- would clear the way for the federal courts to step in and issue a stay -- keeping Terri's feeding and hydration tube in place -- while the issue is litigated.   We will continue to monitor the situation very close and post updates to our website.