Lawmakers Battle to Keep Terri Schiavo Alive
“If the feeding tube is removed, Judge Greer may block any attempt to restore food and water to Terri. We must not fail in her defense and in the defense of other vulnerable individuals who may also be subjected to the agony of a prolonged death"
Pro-life lawmakers in Washington and Tallahassee on Thursday scurried to pass legislations that would prevent the court-ordered removal of Terri Schiavo’s feeding tube from taking place as scheduled on Friday.
Terri, a 41-year old disabled woman, has been at the center of one of the longest-running right-to-life case in history. For nearly seven years, Terri’s parents have fought against Michael Schiavo – Terri’s husband and legal guardian – to keep Terri alive.
Michael, who now lives with his girlfriend with whom he has fathered two children, contends Terri did not wish to be kept alive “artificially”. His in-laws, however, point out that Terri left no such written directive and that as a Catholic she would be against euthanasia.
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The courts have been favorable to Michael, who successfully removed Terri’s tube twice since a Florida judge ruled in his favor in 2000. Although the tube was eventually re-inserted through legislative measures, the courts have continued to swing toward Michael’s opinion.
In the latest crucial court ruling, Pinellas Court Judge George Greer set a March 18 deadline on the removal of Terri’s tube. Since Greer’s decision, Terri’s parents have pleaded to the state’s appellate court and the Pinellas court to reconsider, but have consistently been turned down.
With virtually all legal options blocked, the Schindlers have looked toward the lawmakers to step in.
Two laws – one in Washington and one in Tallahassee – that can potentially save Terri’s life are being considered. The Washington bill, which passed the House of Representatives with a voice vote late Wednesday, would give incapacitated persons such as Terri the right to a federal trial.
Under the House legislation, a federal judge would decide whether withholding food or medical treatment from an incapacitated person violates the Constitution or U.S. law. The ruling would apply only to incapacitated people who had not left written directives on being kept alive artificially.
Republicans in the Senate are introducing a similar bill today, which they hope to pass before the Friday deadline.
Christian groups, including the Federal Research Council and Concerned Women for America, urged senators to “take immediate action” so House bill “would not go to waste” – both houses of congress must pass the bill in order for it to be taken up.
"Terri's plight is a clear choice for Americans – a watershed moment whether we as a country will decide for disabled people that their death is preferable to us than life," said Wendy Wright, CWA's senior policy director. "It is vital that the Senate act today in order to prolong Terri's life until her case can be revisited in a federal court."
At that light, Christian Coalition urged their members to “immediately contact both of your Senators and urge them to vote for the House bill when it reaches the Senate floor most likely on Thursday.”
Noting that “Time is of the essence,” the Christian Coalition urged “activists” to : “call their Senators (202-224-3121) and urge them to vote for the bill which passed unanimously Wednesday night; Call House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Sensenbrenner (202-225-5101) to thank him for sponsoring the final [House] bill and leading Wednesday night's debate on the House floor; and “keep the above issue in your prayers.”
Meanwhile, in Tallahasse, the Florida House passed a bill Thursday that would block the withholding of food and water from patients in a “persistent vegetative state” who did not leave specific written directives. The state’s Senate is considering a similar bill that applies to cases where families disagree on the patient’s wishes.
Dr. Garry Cass, Executive Director of the Center for Reclaiming America, meanwhile urged the 400,000 members of its group to bombard the Florida Senate with calls.
"The Florida legislature has until Friday at 1 p.m. to pass legislation that will save Terri Schiavo's life," said Cass,"I am urging our entire grassroots community to call or e-mail lawmakers in Tallahassee today on her behalf."
"The Florida Senate is stalled," said Cass. "I am gravely concerned that the bill will not pass before Friday's deadline. If the feeding tube is removed, Judge Greer may block any attempt to restore food and water to Terri. We must not fail in her defense and in the defense of other vulnerable individuals who may also be subjected to the agony of a prolonged death from starvation and dehydration."
"This is a moment of profound moral consequence for our nation," Cass said. "It is my prayer that our entire online network will answer the call to defend life."
