WASHINGTON  -  U.S. Representative Jo Ann Emerson (MO-08) voted early this morning for a compromise bill to give Terri Schiavo a hearing in federal court.  S. 686, which had also been approved by the U.S. Senate, was then rushed to the White House where President Bush signed the bill into law.

 

“This unusual legislation is, unfortunately, necessary to define a grey area in law that has been exposed by the case of Terri Schiavo.  I hope it will set a precedent for any future cases like hers.  When there is any doubt about the wishes of a person in a persistent vegetative state, we must value life above all else,” Emerson said.  “I want to emphasize the importance to all adult Americans of having a living will in order to avoid painful situations such as this one.”

 

S. 686 will almost certainly be challenged in federal courts, but Emerson felt it was important to act quickly while Schiavo’s life hung in the balance.

 

“This was not legislation to simply return a feeding tube to Terri Schiavo – it guarantees her and her family a day in federal court and another chance at due process.  When there is so much doubt about how Terri Schiavo wanted to be treated should such a thing ever happen to her, it is important to give her every chance to live,” Emerson said.