Federal and Florida Legislation in Terri's Case

I received some encouraging news from Drew Ryun, our Director of Governmental Affairs, who is in Florida meeting with members of the legislature in an effort to craft a bill to save Terri Schiavo's life.  Efforts are now intensifying to break an impasse between the House and Senate in Florida over the scope of a measure.  Drew told me that representatives from Governor Bush's office are now engaging the leadership in both the House and Senate in an effort to resolve this issue.  I am hearing a vote could come tomorrow in Florida and this could be signed into law by Governor Bush by Friday - the day the state court has ordered Terri's feeding tube removed.

I also have an important update for you from Capitol Hill on federal legislation that's been introduced to help Terri.  Congressman Dave Weldon of Florida told me on my radio program today that he is getting bi-partisan support for his measure that would extend to Terri a federal right of review to protect her constitutional rights against cruel and unusual punishment - being starved to death by removing her feeding tube.  Rep. Weldon has been meeting with leadership and is hopeful that if the measure can get to the floor of the House and Senate by the end of the week - it would pass by a wide margin.  The challenge, of course, is moving legislation through Congress in a rapid fashion.  Rep. Weldon told me he is doing everything he can to make that happen.  The measure is moving forward in the Senate where it was introduced by Sen. Mel Martinez of Florida.

I want to thank the more than 35,000 people across America who have signed on to our petition urging the Florida Governor and state legislature to act on behalf of Terri.  Your voices are being heard.  I want to let leadership in Florida know that this number continues to grow on an hourly basis.  Thousands continue to sign the petition online and thousands continue to call our toll-free number at 1-877-989-2255 to add their name as well.  Please, if you have not yet done so, add your name to our petition today.  I will post additional updates as they become available in my trial notebook later today.