UPDATE: Keeping Terri Alive

I just finished my radio broadcast and a series of meetings in Washington this morning with leadership in both the House and Senate.  The Congressional subpoenas that have been issued to Terri Schiavo, Michael Schiavo, her husband, and medical officials at the hospice where Terri lives represents a lawful and appropriate response.

Sen. Arlen Specter, who heads the Senate Judiciary Committee, issued a letter this morning reminding everyone that failure to abide by a Congressional subpoena could result in a felony. As I post this, Florida Judge Greer is on a conference call with attorneys from the U.S. House of Representatives and U.S. Senate concerning the court-order that is in place to remove Terri's feeding tube minutes from now.  The Congressional attorneys are urging the Judge to issue a stay to keep Terri's nutrition and hydration tubes in place.  I cannot imagine that Judge Greer will ignore the subpoenas that have been issued by Congress.

I want to thank House Majority Leader Tom DeLay and Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist and the many others who were involved in launching this investigation into Terri's case.

Congress has the authority to investigate this issue.  They should.  The subpoenas issued and ensuing investigation should result in a life-saving move keeping Terri on nutrition and hydration tubes. 

The push now intensifies to get legislation through in Washington and in Florida.  Now more than 42,000 people signed on to our petition in support of Terri.  That has made a tremendous difference.  I am hopeful Judge Greer will issue a stay this afternoon in Terri's case and I want to have 75,000 names on our petition next week as Congress continues its work in passing legislation to save Terri's life.  If you haven't added your name, this is the day to do it.  Sign the petition now.  I will keep you posted as developments unfold this afternoon through my trial notebook.