March 20, 2005

Still No Congressional Action

Congressional Republicans were all set to pass a bill to get Terri Schiavo a hearing in federal court. Because legislators are away on Easter Break the House of Representatives were going to pass the bill with a voice vote. President Bush cut short his Texas ranch weekend. House Speaker Dennis Hastert (R-IL) gaveled a session today only to recess it immediately.

But then we learn Democrats prefer to have Terri die. Rep. Robert Wexler (D-FL) wraps it in quasi-federalism:

The Republicans in Congress do not like the results that the Florida courts have reached and they are going to this extraordinary remedy of now stripping the Florida court of its jurisdiction so that maybe there can be another outcome.

Politically it's a dumb move. The move ticks off the right-to-life crowd which is bigger and more organized than euthanasia backers. More importantly having a hearing in federal court doesn't mean Michael Schiavo won't still get his wish to have his wife die. All the bill would do is allow a federal court hearing. There's no guarantee Terri's parents would win.

"Democrats Won't Expedite Schiavo Bill; Vote Delayed"

"Democrats Block Voice Vote In House"

UPDATE: The Kentucky Packrat doesn't see Terri's plight as part of the Culture of Death so much as the "Culture of Me." [via The Anchoress]