Political Quotes

“I wish we were not here debating this legislation today--not because I don't think it is right; I do, and I am a cosponsor of the bill; but because I wish there was no need to take up a bill like this in the first place. Unfortunately, our hands have been forced, largely by the courts. In March of last year, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that a Washington State law prohibiting physician-assisted suicide was unconstitutional under the constitutional right of privacy. Then, a month later, the Second Circuit Court of Appeals struck down a similar New York State law, arguing that the equal protection clause of the Constitution gives the terminally ill the same rights to hasten their own death through drugs as other patients have to refuse artificial life support. Although implementation has been delayed by the courts, in 1994, Oregon voters approved a referendum making physician-assisted suicide legal in that State. The Supreme Court has heard oral arguments on the matter--and it is expected to rule before the end of this term. Now, if physician-assisted suicide does become legal--through the courts or through State referendums or by some other means--there will be no doubt an attempt made to have the Federal Government pay for this. I can hear the arguments already. People will demand that Medicare or Medicaid reimburse physicians who help people commit suicide. Mr. President, this is not such a farfetched notion.…”