Schiavo's feeding tube is removed

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The feeding tube of Terri Schiavo, the brain-damaged Florida woman at the center of a bitter family battle, was removed yesterday afternoon despite a unprecedented attempt by congressional leaders to save her life by calling her to appear before Congress.

Pinellas Circuit Court Judge George Greer denied the congressional move and reinstated his order that Mrs. Schiavo's food and water be stopped, though it will take seven to 14 days for her to die.

On Capitol Hill, lawmakers promised to work throughout the weekend to enforce their calls for her to testify, and to have a bill ready to vote on Monday that would allow her family one last appeal for a federal review of the case to make sure her rights are being protected by her husband, Michael, who also serves as her legal guardian.

"Right now, murder is being committed against a defenseless American citizen in Florida," said House Majority Leader Tom DeLay, Texas Republican. "Terri Schiavo's feeding tube should be immediately replaced, and Congress will continue working to explore ways to save her."

Florida Gov. Jeb Bush also said he would work through the weekend to secure enough votes so the Florida Legislature can pass a measure to help Mrs. Schiavo.

Mrs. Schiavo's husband, Michael, has been fighting to remove her feeding tube, arguing that his wife wouldn't want to live in her vegetative state. His attorney, George Felos, yesterday said Congress' last-minute attempt to intervene was "odious, it was shocking, it was disgusting."

Mr. Felos also berated Senate Democrats, telling them if they don't defend Mrs. Schiavo's right to die from further interference, "they deserve to be the minority party."

The House Government Reform Committee early yesterday issued subpoenas for Mrs. Schiavo, her husband, doctors, and the administrators of the Florida hospice where she resides to appear at a committee hearing at the hospice nextt Friday.

The Senate opted to request Mrs. Schiavo and her husband as witnesses in a committee hearing on March 28. Senate Republican leaders said federal law prohibits anyone from interfering with a congressional witness' ability to testify, and allows a temporary restraining order to be issued if someone does try to interfere.

Mrs. Schiavo suffered cardiac arrest and brain damage in 1990, rendering her incapacitated. Since then, she has been the center of a bitter legal battle between her husband and her parents, who are fighting to keep her alive. Judge Greer ruled late last month that Mr. Schiavo's request could be granted yesterday.