Eleventh-Hour Bids Continue in Schiavo’s Right-to-Life Case
The U.S. House and Senate passed competing bills that could potentially save Terri’s life by moving her case to the federal court. However, they failed to reach a compromise on which version would be accepted.
The U.S. Senate on Thursday passed a bill that would block the court-ordered removal of Terri Schiavo’s feeding tube from taking place as scheduled on 1 p.m. Friday. However, with most House members gone for the Easter break, pro-lifers fear the bill may have come one day too late for it to effectively save Schiavo from a painful death-by-starvation.
Terri Schivo, 41, has been at the center of one of the longest-running right-to-life case in history. Terri’s husband and legal guardian, Michael Schiavo, claims his wife did not wish to be kept alive “artificially”. In recent years, he began living with his girlfriend, by whom he has fathered two children, and has vigorously fought against his in-laws to pull out Terri’s tube.
Terri’s parents, Bob and Mary Schindler, meanwhile reject Michael’s claim, noting their daughter never left any written directives regarding life support.
Get Our Latest News for FREE
The courts have been unfavorable to the Schindlers, blocking nearly 70 attempts to save Terri’s life in the past seven years.
Last month, the Pinellas Court Judge George Greer, who five years ago ruled that Terri’s hydration and nutrition tube be removed, ordered the starvation process to begin at 1 p.m. Friday. Since then, lawmakers in Washington and Florida have scurried to pass legislation that would block the court-ordered death-sentence from taking place.
After much ado, the U.S. House and Senate passed competing bills that could potentially save Terri’s life by moving her case to the federal court. However, they failed to reach a compromise on which version would be accepted.
The Senate version, which passed late Thursday, applies only to Terri’s case. The House bill, which passed late Wednesday, is much more sweeping, and applies to all incapacitated persons in situations similar to that of Terri’s.
The Senate failed to pass the House version on Thursday, citing reservations on how much jurisdiction should be given to the federal courts.
By the time senators passed their version of the legislation Thursday, many House members already headed home for Easter.
According to the Associated Press, House and Senate leaders “each sought to blame the other for the stalemate.”
"We've made our best effort here and it does solve the problem," said Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum, chairman of the Senate Republican Conference. "We tried the House language, there was broad opposition on both sides of the aisle."
"House Republicans knew we had a moral obligation to act and we did just that last night," said Speaker Dennis Hastert of Illinois and Majority Leader Tom DeLay of Texas in a joint statement. "As Terri Schiavo lays helpless in Florida, one day away from the unthinkable and unforgivable, the Senate Democrats refused to join Republicans to act on her behalf."
Meanwhile, the U.S. Supreme Court rejected attempts by the Schindlers to postpone the removal of their daughter’s tube until the lower courts could consider whether Terri’s religious freedom and other rights have been violated.
"Everything is a longshot," said David Gibbs, attorney for Schiavo's parents.
However, some lawmakers and pro-life supporters held onto a hope for a reprieve before the tube is removed tomorrow.
"I just can't conceive that this is going to be the end of this story," said Florida Republican Sen. Mel Martinez, lead sponsor of the Senate bill, according to AP. "A life hangs in the balance, and I know people of good will are trying to make this happen."
President Bush also stated his support for the legislation, saying: "The case of Terri Schiavo raises complex issues," he said. "Yet in instances like this one, where there are serious questions and substantial doubts, our society, our laws and our courts should have a presumption in favor of life. Those who live at the mercy of others deserve our special care and concern."
Meanwhile, in Florida, state legislators are attempting to come up with a bill that could save Schiavo. With a 78-37 vote, the Florida House passed a bill on Wednesday that would prevent doctors from withholding hydration and nutrition from incapacitated persons such as Terri, unless the person issued an advanced written directive or specific verbal requests.
The Senate is considering a separate version of the bill that is more limited, but could still save her life.
Florida Governor Jeb Bush said he would sign either version of the bill, should it pass both chambers of the state Congress. However, he expressed reservations about what can be done at such a late point in time.
"The bill is certainly not dead, but it does appear that they're having some difficulty," said Bush. "I'm just disappointed, but that's their decision."
In light of the legislative and judicial blocks, Terri’s supporters turned to prayer as they stood outside her hospice Thursday.
Prayer vigils for Terri began earlier this week, with many more expected to join on Friday.
For more information on Terri’s fight, visit: www.terrisfight.org.
