Posted on 03/19/2005 8:00:19 AM PST by beyond the sea
Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist said Friday that subpoenas issued by Sen. Mike Enzi compelling Terri Schiavo to appear at a March 28 congressional hearing made it a crime to disconnect her feeding tube - and threatened anyone who interfered with her testimony with jail.
In a statement issued by the majority leader's office, Frist said:
"Federal criminal law protects witnesses called before official Congressional committee proceedings from anyone who may obstruct or impede a witness’ attendance or testimony."
"More specifically," said the Senate's top Republican, "the law protects a witness from anyone who - by threats, force, or by any threatening letter or communication - influences, obstructs, or impedes an inquiry or investigation by Congress.
"Anyone who violates this law is subject to criminal fines and imprisonment," Frist said.
His comments appeared to be directed at Florida state judge George Greer, who brazenly defied the Enzi subpoena on Friday and ordered Schiavo's starvation to commence.
Frist's statement echoed comments by House Majority Leader Tom DeLay, who said late Friday that he intended to charge Greer with contempt of Congress.
"No little judge sitting in a state district court in Florida is going to usurp the authority of Congress," he complained.
(Excerpt) Read more at newsmax.com ...
Empty Threat
Strange that the judge has never bothered to see go this girl.
Frist, tell the jerk judge to go see her before his supposed imprisonment.
I've heard on the tube that the US Attorney for the district in question has the prerogative, and that he declined to take action......
Remember what all the lawyers say. Doctors are trained killers.
By the time March 28th rolls around she'll be dead.
They need to DO something BEFORE March 28th.
Otherwise these are ALL empty threats.
Yep. The Constitution is dead.
Federal crime.
Federal Marshalls.
Ok, Republicans, appreciate the strong rhetoric. Time to ACT!
Federal law also prevents the congress from
usurping state's rights for political purposes.
Send the US Marshals to jail Greer if he does not comply.
In the meantime the patient is dying.........
Every US Attorney is an employee of the Department of Justice. That means his boss is Attorney Gen. Alberto Gonzales -- and President George Bush. If there is a US attorney who is failing to enforce these subpoenas, then Gonazels and/or Bush could easily get that obstruction by their employee stopped.
It seems that everyone has accepted that nothing will happen before Monday, but something will happen Monday. I think that is what the disagreement between Dr. Dobson and Rep. Sensenbrenner amounted to - Dobson wanted something done and Sensenbrenner wanted to do it right.
He is like a typical pol. all talk NO ACTION! If they weree serious they would send in the US Marshals to proect Terri! They have NO GUTS & NO GLORY!
The President of the Senate or Speaker of the House have to offer a resolution authorizing prosecution. Once the resolution passes, then the US Attorney for the MD of Fla can prosecute.
These subpoenas should not have been issued in the first place. That being said, once issued, Congress now has little choice but to enforce them.
Don't threaten. Send in the Marshalls, get her out of there, and uh, bring the judge along as long as you're there.
Frist has lost his mind. No wonder he's ineffectual as a politician.
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