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."

[Howlin]

Well, thank goodness.

[Diverdogz]

I'm afraid tonights exercise was all grandstanding. If the Senate doesn't act, it is no use.

[Old Student]

IV fluids first, STAT! then worry about the tube. Maybe she can swallow something, like a host. (and I'm not Catholic, but a thanksgiving mass is appropriate, right now.)

[shezza]

Goes to the senate tomorrow...hang on, does that mean Terri has to wait until tomorrow for additional action before they can help her?

[ChemistCat]

It looks like it does. Oh, God, please help, because every minute her kidneys are being harmed.

[FR_addict]

We're not through yet. We have to keep after the senate, but this is great news!

Also let's get this vote to the media, especially FoxNews. They seem more willing to casrry the story.

[Diverdogz]

That is my understanding. Until the bill is signed into law, it isn't a law.

[NautiNurse]

Florida may be a crazy state--but Republicans hold both the House and the Senate now

[mickie]

Please, someone clarify this.....does the Senate have to hear it also?
Or is it a done deal?

[pollywog]

WEEPING BEFORE YOU FATHER GOD IN THANKSGIVING!!!!!!!!! OH THANK YOU JESUS , THANK YOU JESUS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1

[apackof2]

I have grave concerns about her condition without water this long.

Me too, I didn't think a person could go this long without water

[Old Student]

can you post that as a link to a website, I use webmail.

[CindyDawg]

JB needs to round them up now!

[ChemistCat]

I don't get why a Florida Senator gets to sleep while Terri gets no water.

[shezza]

All right, Sam, give me that list. I've got some work to do tonight, then.

[FR_addict]

Senate has to hear it and vote on it in the morning.

Does anyone have the email aaddresses handy for the Senate?

[LibertyAndJusticeForAll]

BUMP for your Florida Senator e-mail!

[ChemistCat]

I bet the Dems will pull a Texas Stunt and disappear so they can deny the vote in the Senate. I wouldn't put that past them.

[dixiegrrl]

How many in the senate have to vote yes for it to pass?

[yesnettv]

It only Gives a 15 day stay!
What are we coing to do to fix that?