Senate Democrats nix bill to save Schiavo

Senate Democrats, including Ron Wyden of Oregon, a right-to-die state, have declined to pass by unanimous consent a version of a bill the House passed yesterday to save Terri Schiavo. For her parents, Bob and Mary Schindler, that leaves only slim possibilities for help at the federal level, including:

1) The Senate could take up the House version of the bill, pass it, and send it on to the president. This seems unlikely though, since it was noted during Senate floor debate today that many Dems find the House bill "unacceptable."

2) The Senate could pass what is known as a "private relief bill," a federal law designed to help a single individual. Senator Frist raised this possibility during today's debate, but the Senate would have to hurry: The House would also have to approve such a bill and after tomorrow, it recesses for two weeks.