US Congress delays bid to keep woman in coma alive
House Speaker Dennis Hastert, an Illinois Republican, convened the House in a rare Sunday session, but immediately recessed it until further notice.
The bid to keep Terri Schiavo alive, by passing a bill which would allow the tube to be restored while federal courts review her case, was halted in the face of anticipated objections from at least one Democrat that could temporarily stall the measure.
The development was the latest in a contentious right-to-die battle between Ms Schiavo's parents, Bob and Mary Schindler, and her husband, Michael Schiavo, over whether she should be permitted to die or kept alive by the feeding tube.
Michael Schiavo criticised congressional leaders for intruding in the fight.
"I'm outraged, and I think that every American in this country should also be outraged that this government is trampling all over a personal family matter that has been adjudicated in the courts for seven years," he said.
"I think that the Congress has more important things to discuss."
But Mary Schindler pleaded for parents nationwide to call their congressional representatives and pressure them to vote for a bill to prolong her daughter's life.
"There are some congressmen that are trying to stop this bill," she said outside her daughter's hospice. "Please don't use my daughter's suffering for your own personal agenda."
The bill being considered in Washington would apply only to Ms Schiavo and would allow a federal court review the case.
If passed, attorneys would probably have to seek a federal court order to have the tube reinserted.
Bob Schindler said he visited his daughter yesterday morning at her hospice and she seemed to be doing well as supporters maintained a vigil outside.
The 41-year-old woman's feeding tube was removed on Friday.
Ms Schiavo could linger for one or two weeks if the tube is not reinserted as has happened twice before.
Doctors say she is in a persistent vegetative state with no hope of recovery. Her husband says she would not want to be kept alive in that condition.
Michael Schiavo criticised House Majority Leader Tom DeLay, who helped broker the congressional compromise. "Tom DeLay should be ashamed of himself," Mr Schiavo said.
