UPDATE: Legislative Action Continues on Behalf of Terri Schiavo

With less than 24 hours before her feeding tube is scheduled to be removed, the Florida House of Representatives has approved a measure protecting the life of Terri Schiavo.  The vote in the House 78-to-37 and the measure would block the withholding of food and water from patients in a persistent vegetative state who didn't leave specific instructions refusing the artificial measure.  "This provides a safety net where the government stands up for the vulnerable who don't otherwise have a voice," said Republican Rep. Kevin Ambler.   The Senate is considering a narrower version of the bill which could also prevent Terri's death, but the Senate version would only apply to cases where families disagreed on the patient's wishes.

Governor Bush, who has said he will sign into law a measure to protect Terri's life, told reporters today:   "We have a responsibility to act, to deal with this issue.  It breaks my heart we're in a situation where it's possible this woman could starve to death."

I expect the flurry of legislative activity to continue in both the Florida Senate and in the U.S. Senate where Senate Majority Leader Frist urged his colleagues to act.  "If we don't act or if somebody does not act, a living person who has a level of consciousness, who is self-breathing will be starved to death here in the next two weeks," Frist said.  The U.S. House passed a bill by voice vote last night in support of Terri.

Drew Ryun, our Director of Governmental Affairs, told me that Sen. Frist has put the House version on the Senate floor and is expecting debate later today.  There appears to be support from both Democrats and Republicans.  There is one potential snag.  The House version may not clear the Senate - there's apparently some disagreement over language.  If the measure needs to go to conference to get resolved, there is concern that may take time -- too much time to get it completed before members of Congress adjourn for their Easter break.  I have dispatched our legislative team in Washington to confer with leadership in both the House and Senate and urge passage of a measure protecting Terri as quickly as possible.  I will post additional updates in the trial notebook session as they become available.