Terri's Case is Now in Federal Court

There will be a critical hearing before a federal district court judge this afternoon at 3:00pm in Tampa concerning an appeal to reinstate Terri Schiavo's feeding tube which was removed on Friday.   Thanks to the quick action of Congress and the support of President Bush, who signed the measure into law in the middle of the night, the focal point is now the federal court system.

I am working with our senior legal team in Washington to begin preparing legal briefs to be filed in support of Terri's Law.  I believe the measure that Congress approved is not only appropriate, but constitutional as well.  Florida attorney David Gibbs, who is representing Terri's parents in this matter, will be before the federal court this afternoon appealing for an injunction to reinsert Terri's feeding tube without delay.  That is the first priority - getting her feeding tube back in place.  Once that happens, we can litigate the issue concerning the constitutionality of Terri's Law.

I want to thank the more than 50,000 people who responded to our petition over the past couple of weeks urging a legislative solution to this issue.  While it did not happen in the Florida legislature, we saw the U.S. Congress take extraordinary action in expediting passage of Terri's Law.  Now, with the fight moving to the federal judiciary, I am working with members of Congress to represent them in defending the constitutionality of Terri's Law.  And, I would like to represent you as well.  If you want to stand with us in support of Terri's Law, you need to join the Committee to Defend the Constitutionality of Terri's Law.  If you signed on to our petition urging legislative action, I cannot add your name to this Committee.  It is a separate issue and we need to hear from you again. 

We've made it very easy to add your name to the Committee to Defend Terri's Law.  You can either call toll-free at 1-877-989-2255 or add your name online at our website.

I will keep you posted as developments unfold this afternoon in federal court in Florida.  Updated information will be posted to the trial notebook section of our website.