[Carol Costello, Cnn Anchor:] Straight ahead on DAYBREAK, life or death that question has loomed over Terri Schiavo's hospital bed for years. This morning, the legal battle gets new life. Plus, police say she was snatched from her bedroom and killed. Now they reveal even more chilling details. And cracking the code the Catholic Church says there's nothing novel about this best-seller. It is Monday, March 21. This is DAYBREAK. And good morning to you. From the Time Warner Center in New York, I'm Carol Costello, along with Chad Myers. Now in the news, a federal judge is deciding right now whether to order Terri Schiavo's feeding tube be reinserted. Congress and President Bush created a new law overnight to make that possible. The brain damaged woman is now entering her third full day without food and water. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice is on her way back from China. She's been trying to get the Chinese to help move North Korea back to the negotiating table for nuclear talks. U.N. Secretary General Kofi Annan is calling for wide ranging changes in the agency, including expanding the 15-member Security Council to 24. And if you didn't know it already, gas prices have hit another record high. Nationwide, the average price for a gallon of self serve regular is $2.10. Analysts expect gas prices to go even higher. Good morning Chad.
[Chad Myers, Cnn Meteorologist:] That'll teach you to buy that V12, won't it? I know you bought the four cylinder, Carol, though. I'm not kidding you. Good morning, everybody.
[Costello:] Let's get straight to our top story this morning, the bitter legal battle over Terri Schiavo. It's ignited passionate debate across the nation and now there is more to come. Just under four hours ago, at 1:11 a.m. Eastern, President Bush signed a bill allowing a federal court to review the brain damaged woman's case. Now a Justice Department source tells CNN that federal lawyers have formally held filed court documents aimed at keeping Schiavo alive. The judge is already reviewing the case. Schiavo is spending another day without food or water at a Florida hospice. Her feeding tube was removed on Friday. Now, that bill was rushed to President Bush's desk after three hours of debate in the House. The vote came around midnight Eastern time. CNN's Congressional correspondent Joe Johns has more on the dramatic session.
[Joe Johns, Cnn Correspondent:] The vote was 203-58, an extraordinary session of the United States House of Representatives. Members of Congress spread out all over the country, rushing back to the Capitol to vote in a midnight session. [voice-over]: The bill gives Terri Schiavo's parents standing to sue in U.S. federal court. It also instructs the court to issue declaratory and injunctive relief, if necessary, that would allow the replacement of the feeding tube. The bill does not guarantee that she will be provided a feeding tube indefinitely. That would be left up to a court. The president of the United States signed the bill shortly after the House of Representatives approved it. Many who opposed the measure said they were doing so because, in their view, the Congress was overstepping its bounds. Joe Johns, CNN, Capitol Hill.
[Costello:] Schiavo's husband has fought for years to let her die, but her parents wanted to keep her alive and the battle has become much more than a family matter. Last night, supporters of Schiavo's parents held a candlelight vigil outside her hospice and prayed for her life. Schiavo's father spoke out just after the approval of that bill aimed at keeping her alive and her husband talked to CNN earlier. Here's what both had to say.
[Bob Schindler, Sr., Father:] I asked her if she was ready to take a little ride. And I told her that we were going to take her for a little trip and take her outside and get her some breakfast. And that got a big smile out of her face, so help me god. So she seemed to be very pleased. And we're pleased and, you know, we're very thankful for both the House and the Senate for passing this bill and saving, literally saving Terri's life.
[Michael Schiavo, Husband:] My feeling is that I'm outraged and I think that every American in this country should also be outraged that this government is trampling all over a personal, family matter that has been adjudicated in these courts for several years. I think that the Congress has more important things to discuss.
[Costello:] Republican supporters of the Terri Schiavo Bill reject the notion that political motives are behind the last minute legislative maneuver. But opponents suggest if it looks like a duck and quacks like a duck, well, you know the rest. CNN White House correspondent Dana Bash looks at the politics of the Schiavo case.
[Dana Bash, Cnn Correspondent:] Listen to how conservative politicians are describing their quest to keep Terri Schiavo alive.
[Unidentified Male:] It has to do with the culture of life.
[Scott Mcclellan, White House Spokesman:] The society that is built on a culture of life.
[Bash:] Culture of life is a catch phrase for abortion opponents. Now Terri Schiavo is Exhibit A of an evolving movement and a broadening debate over how to define right to life.
[Wendy Wright, Concerned Women For America:] This case really is mobilizing people and helping them to understand that the attack on the culture of life extends beyond abortion.
[Bash:] From researching stem cells to cloning to ventilators and feeding tubes, with each scientific development, new questions about when life starts, when it ends and who decides.
[George W. Bush, President Of The United States:] We must strive to build a culture of life. Medical research can help us reach that goal by developing treatments and cures that save lives and help people overcome disabilities.
[Bash:] Some religious conservatives want the definition of life as broad as possible. For them, Schiavo is a rallying cry. In phone calls and on Web sites, groups urge activists to call lawmakers. GOP leaders, wading in uncharted waters to change Schiavo's fate, insist they're following the spirit of the constitution, not politics.
[Rep. Tom Delay,  Texas:] This is not a political issue. This is life and death. And this is a bipartisan attempt to save this life.
[Bash:] Though condemned by GOP leaders, Republican talking points circulating in the Senate suggest some see a potential upside against Democrats on the ballot next year. "This is a great political issue because Senator Nelson of Florida has already refused to become a co- sponsor and this is a tough issue for Democrats," a GOP memo says.
[Unidentified Female:] Hi. How are you? You look so pretty.
[Martha Burk, National Council Of Women's Organizations:] I think the Democrats are moving toward the right culturally. I think they're trying to look like junior Republicans. And in some cases, like this one, we see it most starkly.
[Bash:] Democrats, stung from a series of electoral losses among social conservatives, are, by and large, biting their tongues on the Schiavo matter. [on camera]: But some Democrats are criticizing Congress and the president for what they call overreaching, even abusing their power. The White House answers that by calling the Schiavo case complex and extraordinary, saying the president believes that life should be protected when there is doubt in all stages of life. Dana Bash, CNN, the White House.
[Costello:] And, you know, Chad, we struggled with an e-mail question this morning because we knew that people would be talking about the extraordinary events in Washington overnight.
[Myers:] Sure.
[Costello:] And, you know, one thing that we're not hearing is Terri Schiavo's quality of life.
[Myers:] Correct.
[Costello:] I mean we saw that video that the family has released, but that was from 2001.
[Myers:] It says August, 2001. Exactly. It's so very difficult to know. And that kind of goes along with our question today, Carol. It goes along our Question of the Day. If you were Terri Schiavo, who would you want making this decision? And we're not just talking about spouse, parents. I mean would it be your doctor? Would it be your pastor? Would it be Congress, someone who's never met you? Would it be who would you make it up. You tell me the answer you want. Who would you want making this decision if you did not make a living will before this happened to you?
[Costello:] Well, and I wanted to throw something out about the living will, Chad, because I've seen many stories about the living will now and sometimes that doesn't even matter.
[Myers:] Absolutely.
[Costello:] If someone wants to fight your living will, they can.
[Myers:] Right.
[Costello:] And you're at their mercy, so to speak.
[Myers:] You are correct.
[Costello:] Not making your own decision in the end, after all. Daybreak@cnn.com. Authorities in Florida have released new and troubling details on the kidnapping and killing of 9-year-old Jessica Lunsford. They say it appears the girl was sexually assaulted and held captive for perhaps days. CNN's Sara Dorsey bring us up to date.
[Sara Dorsey, Cnn Correspondent:] With each passing day, the memorial for 9-year-old Jessica Marie Lunsford grows larger, as more disturbing details of her murder come to light. Law enforcement sources tell CNN it appears John Couey walked into the Lunsford home, made his way into Jessica's bedroom, put his hand over her mouth, told her to be quiet and then forced her out of the house. Sources say it appears Jessica was not killed immediately. Couey might have held her hostage more than a day, possibly two. Investigators say because of Couey's drug haze "his time lines are all over the place." Couey, the alleged killer, sits in jail just one town away. He made his first court appearance handcuffed and shackled Sunday morning in front of Circuit Court Judge Stephen Spivey on unrelated charges.
[Unidentified Male:] All right, sir, do you have any questions of the court this morning?
[John Couey:] No, sir.
[Unidentified Male:] All right.
[Dorsey:] Citrus County Sheriff's officials say charges in the Lunsford case are coming. Jessica's dad wants to see Couey gone for good.
[Mark Lunsford, Jessica's Father:] And I need everybody's support on pushing the death penalty upon this man. He is scum and anybody that acts like him or even resembles him is scum. And you do not deserve to be amongst us.
[Dorsey:] John Couey was extradited overnight from Georgia, where he allegedly confessed to killing Jessica and told investigators where her body was buried. He arrived in Florida early Sunday morning. For his own safety, Couey wore a bullet-proof vest and the eight hour trip was made under the cover of darkness.
[Ronda Hemminger Evan, Citrus County Sheriff's Office:] We felt that that was the best way to bring him back as soon as possible and as safely as possible. That transport was conducted by two of our deputies. We did use an unmarked vehicle and the transport went without incident.
[Dorsey:] Those that knew Jessica and some who only knew her unfortunate story packed into Faith Baptist Church, Jessica's church, to try to find some comfort after such a senseless crime.
[Rita Soderberg, Church Member:] We're all thankful she's in heaven now. We're happy about that. It's just sad how, the road that she took to get there.
[Dorsey:] The crime scene tape still visible from the Lunsfords' front door, a reminder of a three week search that came to a horrible end.
[Lunsford:] We need to make some changes, people. This does not need to happen again, not this close to home.
[Dorsey:] Sarah Dorsey, CNN, Homosassa Springs, Florida.
[Costello:] Much more to come on DAYBREAK this hour. Have you read "The Da Vinci Code?" It is a huge hit. So what is the Catholic Church saying about it today, this week, Holy Week? Also, Condoleezza Rice in Beijing, where North Korea was the talk of the town. And are your kids begging you for a cell phone? You might want to think twice before giving in. But first, here's a look at what else is making news this Monday morning, March 21.