| (Washington, DC) -- Today, the House Republican Leadership advised members of Congress that they plan to bring legislation relating to the Terri Schiavo case to the floor tomorrow.
Should the leadership proceed with this plan, Reps. Jim Davis (D-Tampa) and Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-Weston) will demand that the House conduct a full debate on this legislation and its impact on other families struggling with difficult end-of-life decisions.
"There is no room for the Federal Government in this case or in any case in which a family has to make the most personal of decisions when dealing with the end of life of a loved one," said Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz. "This very personal matter should not be politicized. Ms. Schiavo made it clear that she would not have wished to remain in a persistent vegetative state and the U.S. government should not step in to circumvent the wishes of one dying woman."
"In a stunning abuse of power, Congress is strong-arming its way into a private, family matter and threatening to strip every guardian of the right to make end-of-life decisions for his or her loved ones," said Congressman Jim Davis. "Even more outrageous, the Republican Leadership plans to push this legislation of questionable constitutionality through Congress with no hearings and no debate. I refuse to sit by and allow Congress to steamroll family rights without a public debate." |
