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Republicans outnumber Democrats 26-14 in the upper chamber, but seven GOP senators voted against the bill. One Democrat voted "yes."
The seven Republicans were all among those who also strayed from party leadership on the issue of keeping Terri Schiavo alive artificially in 2005. The St. Petersburg woman, considered in a permanent vegetative state by the courts, eventually died after a drawn-out effort to keep her alive against the wishes of her husband, including failed legislation to force-feed her.
Republican Dennis Jones of Seminole repeated his support for privacy rights in the abortion debate, just as he and his like-minded GOP colleagues did in the Schiavo case.
"My lord, you look at this bill, and where did that right to privacy go?" Jones said. "It takes everything away."
Sen. Jim King, the influential former president of the upper chamber, also objected to government intrusion.
Tie Vote Kills Ultrasound Abortion Bill
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The Ghost of Terri Schiavo, the brain dead woman who’s case sparked a national debate on end of life decisions was invoked by Senator Burt Sanders of Naples.. “I felt that it was inappropriate for the legislature to be involved in those very personal types of issues and I think in some respects, this is very similar.” Democrat Senator Steve Geller urged Senators to see the bill for what it really was. “We should not be relying on emotions, on looking at the pictures to dissuade her.” In the end, even pro life women like Sen. Paula Dockery couldn’t push the yes button......
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