That's not what they're worried about. Push comes to shove, if it's in their self interests -- and they were sure they could get away with it -- if something is "illegal" they wouldn't hesitate. The problem here is that they are being asked to stand on their stated priciples and act upon them to do something for someone else at risk to their own future.
No courage of their convictions = PHONY.
Yes, it's not whether it's legal or not. It is. It is whether or not he wants to risk his political career for a disabled woman. He would risk impeachment.
If someone told me I could lose my job if I tried to help Terri, I'd be without a job in a heartbeat. There are three nurses who just did that.
I don't want to hear any more about poor Iraqis et al and how I should be proud that American lives are being given up for freedom around the world. When that same freedom is denied to the most helpless of our own citizens, then something is unbelievably wrong.