Representatives Debate Terri Schiavo Bill

By Andrea Seabrook

Published March 20, 2005 at 12:00 AM EST

House Majority Leader Tom DeLay (R-TX), discussing legislation to move the Schiavo case to federal court, said he was guided by the Constitution. Rep. DeLay took a copy from his pocket Sunday.

Members of the House scramble to come back into session to pass legislation aimed at prolonging the life of Florida woman Terri Schiavo, who suffered brain damage from a heart ailment more than a decade ago.

Republican leaders, meanwhile, are defending themselves against criticism that they've made a political issue out of the controversy over Schiavo, whose husband and parents are locked in a battle over her fate. Friday, hospice doctors -- acting on a court order -- removed the feeding tube that has kept Schiavo alive. NPR's Andrea Seabrook reports.

Andrea Seabrook

Andrea Seabrook covers Capitol Hill as NPR's Congressional Correspondent.

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