Harry Reid is talking now. "very difficult issue. I want to applaud Sen. Levin from Michigan. He is a Harvard ed lawyer and lives every minute of that. He has helped us get something that is appropriate for what we are trying to do here. Distinguished senator from Oregon, Boxer, Harkin, Feinstein, a lot of cooperation. Very difficult. something we feel an obliglation. We have to do something.
Senator from Florida MEL MARTINEZ "In relation to Theresa Marie Schiavo. 15 minutes for each side and then Senate proceed to a vote on the bill. (HAPPENING RIGHT NOW!!!) Reid asks head of Senate. BILL IS AT THE DESK. Reid: I would ask consent that it be increased to 16 minutes for Bill Nelson.
seven and a half minutes for each side per Harry Reid.
THE BILL WITH THE UNANIMOUS CONSENT A BRAND NEW BILL THAT CONTAINS MODIFICATIONS. Bill for the Relief of the Parents of Theresa Marie Schiavo. Martinez is talking now about Terri's last 15 years. Parents wishes would prevail so she would continue food and hydration. The effect of the court order is that on the 18th of March, that food and hydration would be withdrawn. Their bill will allow a FEDERAL JUDGE to give Terri a full review under the fourteenth amendment and to insure that the Federal review of this case would provide the same type of relief as any person who might be put to death as a result of criminal conduct. Martinez yields the floor to.
Mr. Levin. We have worked out the changes in the bill that make it a better bill. Levin is going to vote "no". Levin says it's a better bill but he's still voting no.
The parents ONLY HAVE A THIRTY DAY PERIOD to challenge the death warrant. It issues only a stay for 30 days - is relief for the parents, not for Terri Schiavo. Technically for the parents' relief, NOT TERRI.
Levin says is a mistake, is voting no.
NORTH DAKOTA - MR. CONRAD - thanks for accepting the modifications. A determined effort to make certain this bill goes to the house in time. Face of that lovely young woman, the smile of that young woman, her parents want to give her a chance. I think of my own daughter. WE ought to give her a chance and this is our opportunity to do it and I hope verymuch the house will give this a chance. I want to thank my colleague from Pa, Senator Santorum. This is the right thing to do colleagues, Let's pass this.
Harry Reid: Thanks to Senator Nelson for being there the whole day.
SENATOR FRIST: This is coming to the floor very quickly. IF we don't act, a living human being would be starved to death in a matter of days and that's why the action now, not rushing. The video footage and to my standpoint as a physician, "the facts upon which this case are based are inadeqauate. to be able to make a diagnosis of PVS typically takes multiple exams over a period of time because you are looking for responsiveness. Based upon the footage, she does respond. Taht being the case and she's not had a complete neuro exam by today's standards, before you are going to have somebody die and starve them, you want a complete exam. We are saying "don't starve her to death NOW, I would argue never. That's what we will accomplish with the passage of this bill.
SENATOR FROM OREGON. Mr Wyden this is gut wrenching decision a family can face. The senate is tackling a real sensitive concern... this troubles me greatly. The practice of medicine and regulation of it has been properly left by the constitution to the states. regardless of how a senator might feel about this tragic case in Fla and feelings run high, the senator ought to reflect on the implications on federal intrusion before we pass this vote. Wyden: worried about setting a precedent, the congress playing medical czar. colleagues there will be thousands of cases just like this...
WYDEN is BAAAAAAD!!!
Oh you're good with the transcripts
Thanks!!
Praying, and praying hard.
Better than playing baseball czar...you f'ing idiot! grrr