[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 34 (Saturday, March 19, 2005)]
[Senate]
[Page S3095]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         THERESA MARIE SCHIAVO

  Mr. FRIST. Mr. President, the Congress has been working nonstop over 
the last 3 days to do its part to uphold human dignity and affirm the 
culture of life. I am pleased to announce that the House and Senate 
Republican leadership have reached an agreement on a legislative 
solution. The Senate has come in today to pass an adjournment 
resolution which we will send shortly to the House of Representatives. 
Procedurally, this action will have the effect of bringing the House 
into session so they can either pass compromise legislation by 
unanimous consent on Sunday or place this legislation on the suspension 
calendar for consideration early Monday morning. The Senate will be 
prepared to reconvene as soon as the House passes this new legislation.
  It has been more than 24 hours since Terri Schiavo's feeding tube was 
removed. Under the legislation we will soon consider, Terri Schiavo 
will have another chance. It is a simple bill, only two pages long. It 
allows Terri's case to be heard in Federal court. More specifically, it 
allows a Federal district judge to consider a claim ``by or on behalf 
of Theresa Marie Schiavo for the alleged violation of any right of 
Theresa Marie Schiavo under the Constitution or laws of the United 
States relating to the withholding or withdrawal of food, fluids, or 
medical treatment necessary to sustain her life.''
  I am pleased with our progress thus far, and I am committed as leader 
to see this legislation pass and give Terri Schiavo one last chance at 
life.

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