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Congress,
President Intervene In Schiavo Case |
Posted:
03.21.05
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The U.S. Congress and President Bush intervened in the dispute
over the life of Terri Schiavo early Monday, sending the case
of the severely brain damaged Florida woman to federal court.
Students
Debate: Teens discuss Terri Schiavo and euthanasia.
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Terri Schiavo, now 41 years old, suffered heart failure in 1990
due to a chemical imbalance from the eating disorder bulimia.
She lies in a Florida health center with brain damage that makes
her unable to speak or care for herself.
 The
political battle, which has pit many Republicans against Democrats
and the governor of Florida against the state courts, emerged
from a bitter family fight.
Schiavo's husband contends that Terri would not have wanted to
live in such a limited way, while her parents say that removing
her life-sustaining feeding tube will lead to a cruel death of
starvation and dehydration.
On Friday, a Florida judge ruled that the feeding tube sustaining
Schiavo's life be removed. Lawmakers in Congress are now fighting
that ruling.
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Lawmakers
argue over the role of law |
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President Bush returned to Washington early from his Texas ranch
Sunday in order to sign a bill that would allow courts to review
Schiavo's case.
 "Today
I signed into law a bill that will allow federal courts to hear
a claim by or on behalf of Terri Schiavo for violation of her
rights relating to the withholding or withdrawal of food, fluids,
or medical treatment necessary to sustain her life," the
president said in a statement after he signed the measure after
1 a.m.
"In cases like this one, where there are serious questions
and substantial doubts, our society, our laws, and our courts
should have a presumption in favor of life. This presumption is
especially critical for those like Terri Schiavo who live at the
mercy of others."
Opponents of the bill said Congress was unconstitutionally overstepping
its authority and setting a dangerous precedent by using federal
legislation to usurp the power of state courts and intervene in
the case of one person.
"Congressional leaders have no business substituting their
judgment for that of multiple state courts that have extensively
considered the issues in this intensely personal family matter,"
House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi said in a statement.
Democratic opponents also said that Congress will now be besieged
by requests from individual citizens seeking help in similar family
matters.
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Personal
and political issues |
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The Schiavo case has drawn national media attention and the focus
of both "right to life" and "right to die"
advocacy groups
 Many
Republicans see the vote as an opportunity to strengthen their
support among religious conservatives, a vital constituency group,
ahead of next year's congressional elections.
For the most part, minority-party Democrats argue that congressional
involvement in such a heart-wrenching private matter is unwise,
but they are treading carefully because "values'' issues
hurt them in last year's elections.
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New attention
to "living wills" |
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Meanwhile, many Americans have seen Schiavo's case as a warning
that they should create so-called "living wills" clearly
stating whether they would like to live if they become unable
to make their own treatment decisions.
 "The
main message here, for everyone, is end-of-life decisions are
rightfully ours to make and it's up to us to make sure our decisions
are documented and discussed ahead of time to make our wishes
a reality," said Paul Malley, president of Aging With Dignity,
a nonprofit organization that provides resources to help individuals
prepare documents such as a living wills.
Malley said thousands of people have sought help with living wills
since the Schiavo story began making headlines.
However, experts point out that such documents may not prevent
a similar court fight. In Schiavo's case there is a disagreement
over her medical condition. Doctors appointed by the Florida courts
said she is in a "persistent vegetative state" with
little or no chance for recovery. Other doctors disputed that
diagnosis and the family released videotape of Terri smiling to
show that she is responsive and not in a coma.
Doctors estimate that Terri Schiavo could remain alive for several
days without the feeding tube.
--
Compiled by Leah Clapman for NewsHour Extra
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