UPDATE - Another Disappointing Court Decision in the Terri Schiavo Case

Florida Judge Greer this afternoon rejected a request from the Florida agency wanting to intervene in the case of Terri Schiavo to investigate allegations of abuse.  Judge Greer said the Department of Children & Families will not be permitted to intervene in the case and rejected the agency's request for a 60-day delay in the removal of Terri's feeding tube, which is scheduled to be removed on March 18th.   Judge Greer said the agency's request to intervene at this point was inappropriate and "appears to be brought for the purpose of circumventing the court's final judgment . . . in violation of the separation of powers doctrine."  I am disappointed by this development. 

Florida attorney David Gibbs, who is representing Terri's parents in this ordeal, has done a remarkable job at raising important issues before the court.  But as I have said many times, this is a difficult legal road and it is an uphill battle. 

I am putting together final plans to deploy members of our legislative team from Washington to Florida next week to assist in the legislative efforts underway there to save Terri's life.  Legislation has been cleared one House committee and is moving forward.  At the same time, federal legislation has been introduced in Congress and I will be talking to one of the bill's sponsors, Rep. Dave Weldon of Florida, on my radio broadcast on Tuesday.  And thousands of people from across the country continue to respond to our efforts to urge the Governor and Florida legislature to do whatever they can to help save Terri's life.  I encourage you to sign on to our petition today.