Democrats call Smith no-show on assisted suicide (Ore.Sen.(R)Gordon Smith)

Democrats call Smith no-show on assisted suicide

Thursday, February 24, 2005


By MATTHEW DALY, Associated Press Writer

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- The lack of comment from Republican Sen. Gordon Smith on a Supreme Court decision this week to take up the Bush administration challenge of Oregon's landmark assisted suicide law is drawing criticism from Democrats and advocates of the law.

The rest of the state's congressional delegation, including a fellow Republican, Rep. Greg Walden, have said they oppose the administration's efforts to overturn the 7-year-old law, which has been twice approved by Oregon voters.

Smith's Senate colleague, Democrat Ron Wyden, said he was ready to filibuster if necessary to defend the law against a potential challenge in Congress.

Smith's office said he was traveling Tuesday -- the day of the Supreme Court announcement -- and could not be reached for comment. Smith also declined to comment when then-Attorney General John Ashcroft filed the appeal in November, arguing that the federal Controlled Substances Act allowed him to decide whether doctors could prescribe lethal overdoses under the Oregon law.
(snip/...)

http://www.kgw.com/news-local/stories/kgw_022405_politics_assisted_suicide.ddeaf2b4.html
(Free registration is required)