By Matthew Monks
“The house GOP has turned this personal tragedy into a game of politics,” Weiner said. “This life or death decision should be left to the family involved, not the federal government.”U.S. Rep Gary Ackerman (D-Bayside) said he had no intention of returning from the Easter recess to vote on sending the case to federal court after a series of state court judges ruled against Schiavo's parent's pleas to continue the woman's life. A three-judge panel from a federal appeals court Wednesday denied Schiavo's parents, Bob and Mary Schindler's filing, but they still vowed to take the case to the full 11th Circuit Court of Appeals to review the decision. “It was unconscionable for Congress to insert itself into this debate and we had no business doing so,” Ackerman said. “We have set a very dangerous precedent and it's absolutely hypocritical for the Republicans to have inserted Congress into this matter when they talk about being the party of smaller government, less federal government, states rights and the sanctity of marriage.” U.S. Rep. Carolyn Maloney (D-Astoria) stayed in New York during the weekend vote. “The Republican leadership in Congress was too eager to cross the line into the judiciary system for this singular court case just to score cheap political points,” Maloney said. A spokeswoman for U.S. Rep. Joseph Crowley (D-Jackson Heights) said the congressman would abstain from publicly commenting on the case. “He was not here for the vote,” spokeswoman Jennifer Psaki said from Washington, D.C. “He had pre-planned travel as many (Congress) members did.”U.S. Rep. Gregory Meeks (D-St. Albans) could not be reached for comment. Reach reporter Matthew Monks by e-mail at news@timesledger.com or by phone at 718-229-0300, Ext. 156.
