Yesterday, defenders of life won a huge victory in the Vermont State Senate. As we previously reported, Senators voted handily to reject efforts to attach assisted suicide to a piece of legislation regulating tanning beds. For the second time this year, supporters of assisted suicide have failed to convince Vermont Senators to support their legislation.
Proponents of assisted suicide suffered a major setback, losing the vote and falling flat when trying to defend their sneaky back-handed maneuver. At times supporters were left stammering and completely unable to defend the legislation, even asking for a recess to regain composure.
The debate lasted two hours. We would like to thank Sen. Sears (D-Bennington), Sen. Peg Flory (R-Rutland), Sen. John Campbell (D-Windsor) and Sen. Kevin Mullin (R-Rutland), who all spoke against the assisted suicide legislation.
The following article in the Burlington Free Press portrays the intense interrogation of assisted suicide proponents led by Sen. Dick Sears, who was a steadfast opponent of assisted suicide in the Senate. Senator Sears, chairs the Senate Judiciary Committee that held hearings on the original assisted suicide legislation last month.
The article reads:
“Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Richard Sears, D-Bennington, peppered Miller with questions about the legislation, including the impact on a doctor’s role and on suicide rates.
Miller didn’t have any answers. “I do not understand the question,” she said at one point.
“How can we move forward with this bill?” Sears responded.
Senators broke for a recess as Miller looked for help. Sears told colleagues, “When you’re unprepared for the debate you shouldn’t cry foul.”
Miller appealed to Sen. Jeanette White, D-Windham. “Can I yield to you?” she asked, meaning White would answer Sears’ questions on the floor.
“Why me?” White answered.”