Senate Floor Speeches for, against Terri Schiavo

The Oregon Conservative ^ | 3-18-05 | oregonconservative

[oregonconservative.com]

Senator Wyden's Senate Foor Speech Against the Terri Schiavo Bill,
March 17, 2005.

"Mr. President:

The Senate is now addressing probably the most gut-wrenching decision that an American family can ever face. Without even a single hearing, without any debate whatever, the Senate is tackling an extraordinarily sensitive concern that involves moral and ethic and religious principles and this troubles me greatly.  The practices of medicine, and regulation of it throughout our history, has been properly left to the Constitution to the states.

Now regardless of how a senator might feel about this tragic case in Florida, and feeling certain runs very high, the Senator (Sen. Frist) ought to reflect on the implication of federal intrusion before we cast this vote. I'm particularly troubled at the prospect of setting a precedent that is going to have, in effect, playing medical czar in case after case because, Colleagues, there will be thousands just like this. I would ask the Senator WILL the step of the Capitol be the new gathering place for America to wrestle with these situations that all concerned consider tragic?  I think that's a mistake and that is why I'm going to vote against this legislation.

Now this legislation has particular repercussions for people of my state. We have voted twice for assisted suicide. I would tell colleagues I voted AGAINST both of those measures on assisted suicide and I joined all of you, I think here today, in opposing federal funding for assisted suicide, but I think these matters are not ones that we should trample on the prerogatives of the state quickly and that is what we are doing today without a single hearing, without a single opportunity for us to even hear from those most knowledgeable in the field.

Now I know many colleagues want to speak on this and I want to respect them. I would note that as a result of the cooperation shown, particularly by a colleague from the other side of the isle, Senator Frist and others, that there has been language added to this proposal so as to at least attempt to protect any state that has acted in this area. My guess is that when the Supreme Court tackles this they're going to declare it unconstitutional. But as we go to the vote on this matter I would just urge colleagues to think about what it's going to mean when people from all over this country , all of our states, all of our communities ask the Congress to step in on these kinds of cases.

I think that is a very very troubling precedent. It is my intention to vote "no." I thank my colleagues particularly majority leader for his courtesy and yield to any others to speak on the matter."

---

Sen. Rick Santorum's Senate Floor Speech Defending the Terri Schiavo Bill, Responding to Senator Wyden

March 17, 2005.

Mr. President:

 

I want to thank all those involved........

 

...I want to explain briefly what this bill does. This bill simply gives a federal court the ability to review the state court's actions.

 

Just yesterday a man, in California, was sentenced to death for killing two people. He will have ample opportunity to have everything the California courts under Habeas Corpus appeal. He will have multiple appeals for federal courts to look and see whether the state court of California properly behaved in providing him his due process rights under the 14th Amendment. A multiple murderer. Terri Schiavo has done one thing wrong. She didn't have a living will.

 

But, the Florida courts gave her a death sentence. They said that her feeding tube and hydration will be removed until she is dead and no one, but for this bill and the federal courts will have any right to look to see if her due process rights were followed by the Florida courts.

 

This doesn't get us involved in medical decisions. This doesn't get us involved in making decisions of life and death. It simply protects the constitutional rights of someone whose ONLY, only mistake was not to have a living will.

 

Should we not give someone who is in that situation, who has been sentenced to death by a court on the state level the right for federal court review to determine whether her rights were protected by those courts?

 

That's all we ask in this piece of legislation and it IS narrow. It applies only to her and to no one else. It sets no precedent, we specified, thanks to Senator Wyden's amendment, that it sets no precedent for any other action. So I would encourage my colleagues that as we just went through a horrific death penalty case in California to understand that there is a proper role for the federal courts to look to make sure that due process was followed and that's all we're asking here today.

[oregonconservative.com]

Sen. Rick Santorum gave an excellent retort to Wyden's claim that the states should decide on the Schiavo issue without any federal intervention. Indeed Schiavo deserves as much access to 'due process' of law as a murderer like Scott Peterson. -- http://www.oregonconservative.com/SantorumSpeech3-17-05.htm

[the invisib1e hand]

talk is cheap. the woman is being starved. HELLO!

[GeekDejure]

The 23rd Psalm --- Translated to Terri's Present Reality !!!

The Lord is Terri's Shepherd --- That's Relationship !!!

She shall not want --- That's Supply !!!

He maketh her to lie down in green pastures --- That's Rest !!!

He leadeth her beside the still waters --- That's Refreshment !!!

He restoreth her soul --- That's Healing !!!

He leadeth her in the paths of righteousness --- That's Guidance !!!

For His name sake --- That's Purpose !!!

Yea, though Terri walk through the valley of the shadow of death --- That's Testing !!!

She will fear no evil --- That's Protection !!!

For Thou art with her --- That's Faithfulness !!!

Thy rod and Thy staff they comfort her --- That's Discipline !!!

Thou preparest a table before Terri in the presence of her enemies--- That's Hope !!!

Thou annointest her head with oil --- That's Consecration !!!

Her cup runneth over --- That's Abundance !!!

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow Terri all the days of her life --- That's Blessing !!!

And she will dwell in the house of the Lord --- That's Security!!!

Forever --- That's Eternity !!!

Congressional Subpoena --- That's Deliverance !!!

Face it ---- The Lord is crazy about Terri !!!

Otherwise --- Why else would He continuously deliver her from
the evil hands of her attempted murderers ???

[jjmcgo]

Yes and Wyden is arguing for killing her. This shouldn't be forgotten.

[Brilliant]

The same guys don't want the States to decide abortion.

The truth is that the Florida legislature voted to forbid the tube from being pulled. But the courts substituted their judgment for the will of the people.

[csense]

"....the Senate is tackling an extraordinarily sensitive concern that involves moral and ethic and religious principles and this troubles me greatly."

...and that you're greatly troubled by this, scares the hell out of me.

[muawiyah]

The Florida legislature should start acting soon to remove those judges.

[1Peter3v14]

Since Terri didn't have a living will, her right to life should supercede Michael's hearsay claim that she wanted to die.

[Brilliant]

The voters in Florida keep re-electing them. It's kinda hard for the legislature to act when the voters will not.

[eleni121]

The genius (what you wrote) that is inspired from tragedy never ceases to amaze.

Now is the time to die...and pray for Terri.

[muawiyah]

Hmmm ~ a legislature that fears dealing with misbehaving judges.

[princess leah]

Again, we see the Florida Supreme Court and liberal judges executing peoples rights. Who wants to live in Floridah?

[The Ghost of FReepers Past]

So Terri can be deprived of life and it is not a U.S. Constitutional question? No federal courts? The U.S. Constitution is worthless then.

[ctdonath2]

Without even a single hearing, without any debate whatever, the Senate is tackling an extraordinarily sensitive concern that involves moral and ethic and religious principles and this troubles me greatly.

"Reflective contemplation is not required in the presence of an upraised knife."

[Brilliant]

I guess I was not clear. Our judges here in Fla. are subject to election. The voters keep re-electing the judges, so the legislature can't do much about it.

[GeekDejure]

Thank You for your appreciative comment !!! ;-))

[eleni121]

Keep posting it...everywhere! There are too many people around here in comfortable denial....until the postman rings for them.

[CharlesWayneCT]

Ah, the legislative trap we fall into. Every person so treated should have access to the federal courts. That is what the original language stated.

So Wydon objects, and offers an amendment to limit it to Terri. They accept the amendment. Then he objects because it means every single case will come to congress. Which is only true because of his amendment.....

[holyscroller]

The judge is in contempt of Congress. Send Federal Marshalls in to get Terry and arrest the judge. I'd like to see him go out in chains!

[TNCMAXQ]

And if we are to believe polls, a majority of Floridians think this action is just fine. God help us all. I have little doubt if that n*zi Greer were to stand for reelection today he would win. Then in the future when people deemed unfit start getting executed we'll see what the reaction of the populace is.