ACLJ Urges Lawmakers to Resolve Differences Immediately and Pass Legislation Protecting Life of Terri Schiavo.

WASHINGTON -- The American Center for Law and Justice (ACLJ) today urged Congress and the state legislature in Florida to work out their differences and quickly pass legislation to protect the life of Terri Schiavo. At the same time, the ACLJ said reports that the U.S. House will issue subpoenas in the Terri Schiavo matter is a positive sign with Terri facing removal of her feeding tube at 1:00 p.m. ET today.

"Time is of the essence in passing legislation to protect Terri Schiavo at both the federal and state level," said Jay Sekulow, Chief Counsel of the ACLJ, which represented Mary and Robert Schindler -- Terri's parents -- at the Supreme Court in their efforts to defend the previous Florida legislation that was declared unconstitutional. "Every minute that goes by brings Terri one step closer to starvation. We call on Congress and the state legislature in Florida to resolve their differences immediately and act quickly to produce measures that will keep Terri alive. At the same time, reports that Congress will issue subpoenas in the Terri Schiavo matter are encouraging and we are hopeful that will result in a stay blocking the removal of Terri's feeding tube. It is our view that the Congressional action of issuing subpoenas represent a legal and appropriate response in this tragic situation. With Terri's life at stake, the time to act is now."

The ACLJ has heard from more than 40,000 people nationwide who support Terri and her parents and are urging lawmakers to find a legislative solution to keep Terri alive.

Led by Chief Counsel Jay Sekulow, the American Center for Law and Justice specializes in constitutional law and the protection of human life and is based in Washington, D.C. and is online at www.aclj.org.