According to published reports, doctors at the hospice Terri Schiavo is staying at removed the feeding tube from the severely brain-damaged woman this afternoon in accordance with the directive of her husband and with the decision of a Florida judge.

It will probably take Schiavo between one and two weeks to die unless the feeding tube is reinserted.

Judge Greer told the attorneys during a conference call, 'I have had no cogent reason why the (congressional) committee should intervene,' according to a report by the Associated Press. He said last minute interventions by Congress do not invalidate a judge's order.

Mrs. Schiavo's feeding tube has been removed twice before but both times it has been reinserted. Congressional Republicans tried a last ditch attempt to prolong Terri Schiavo's life when they subpoenaed the woman to appear before a committee. According to court appointed doctors, Mrs. Schiavo is an a permanent vegetative state and could not give meaningful testimony.

The United States Supreme Court has declined to intervene in the case. For now, the feeding tube has been removed. 30 protesters remain outside the hospice holding a vigil for Terri Schiavo. She continues to wait in silence.