Frist Isn't Following Republicans on Criticism of Judges.

The struggle over the relationship between Congress and the courts intensified on Tuesday as Senator Bill Frist, the majority leader, broke with fellow Republicans calling for new judicial accountability after Terri Schiavo's death. Democrats accused Republicans of undermining the separation of powers.

Disagreeing with Representative Tom DeLay, the Texas Republican who is the House majority leader, Dr. Frist said he saw no need to examine why federal judges chose not to intervene in Ms. Schiavo's case after Congress had passed an emergency law that let them do so.


"I believe we have a fair and independent judiciary today," said Dr. Frist, who declined to comment directly on Mr. DeLay. "I respect that."

(4-5-05, The New York Times.)