FLA. LAWMAKERS MAY PASS TUBE-FEEDING LAW (LEGISLATURE MEETING TONIGHT, OCT. 20, TO PROPOSE BILL)

AP WIRE SERVICE ^ | OCT. 20, 2003 | AP WIRE

[varina davis]

Fla. Lawmakers May Pass Tube-Feeding Law

October 20, 2003 07:17 PM EDT

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - Florida lawmakers were moving Monday to consider intervening in the case of a severely brain-damaged woman whose feeding tube was removed last week by her husband's order.

The Florida House scheduled a Monday night session to take up the issue. In the Senate, President Jim King said he will propose legislation that would give Gov. Jeb Bush the authority to order the feeding tube be reinserted to keep Terri Schiavo alive.

The tube was removed Wednesday following a decade-long court battle between Schiavo's parents and their son-in-law, who contends that he is carrying out her wishes not to be kept alive artificially.

"If we are to err - because time is of the essence - for goodness sake let us err on the side of caution," said King, a Republican.

Schiavo has been in what doctors call a vegetative state since her heart stopped in 1990 from a suspected potassium imbalance.

Bush told parents Bob and Mary Schindler last week that his staff would search for legal ways to save their daughter's life, but said Monday they haven't yet found a way.

"The legal ways, the remedies, don't exist," Bush said Monday, before the possible legislative moves became apparent.

Bush added, "I wish I could wave the magic wand and resolve this but every effort that we've had or every effort that has been proposed has either been thwarted by the courts or would be inappropriate."

Meanwhile, in a statement released through his lawyer, husband Michael Schiavo said Monday that he, too, is grieving, but "I did what I believe Terri would have wanted me to do."

[shezza]

Unfortunately, the bill would only postpone Terri's demise for 15 days while they discuss it further.

[NautiNurse]

OMG!!!!!!!!!!!!

We have a DEM crossing the line!!!!!!!!!!

[Diva Betsy Ross]

My Mom always told me not to tease the mentaly ill, this one time I will make an exception. Another for and clapping.

[yesnettv]

Only 15 days - Good Grief!

[supercat]

Unfortunately, the bill would only postpone Terri's demise for 15 days while they discuss it further.

What exactly would it do for that 15 days?

[Gelato]

Rep. Meadows:

If we do something that’s unconstitutional--we do it all the time. It’s challenged, and it’s found unconstitutional. Look into your hearts, look into your souls, and think that I have a chance here to give someone another chance. Maybe this person might come back. We don’t know that, but we have a chance to afford this person that opportunity. It’s not fifteen years, it’s fifteen days. Fifteen days. That’s all it is. I’ve prayed about it. It’s the right thing to do.

[NautiNurse]

He was the first DEM to cross over

[Diva Betsy Ross]

I give him credit. HE was good

[ordinaryguy]

Is there a copy of the bill online?

[dixiegrrl]

He seems to have a heart and soul.

[Lanza]

Can the bill pass tonight or will it have to go to another legislative branch to be voted on too?

[NautiNurse]

who is up now?

[CindyDawg]

Don't know. That's what I also have been trying to figure out.

[yesnettv]

It is on the senate calendar for tomorrow morning

[dixiegrrl]

I missed his name because my link broke up.

[NautiNurse]

Ralph Poppel (R) Brevard, Indian River

[OXENinFLA]

No, the way I understand it is this bill is a moratorium, and coming from IL I know that a moratorium put a stop to an action.

That action here being the starvation of Terri.

[FR_addict]

He sure was.

[dixiegrrl]

Thanks.

[mickie]

Dear Blessed Mother Teresa......hear our prayers for this dear suffering woman, let her live, we pray.