"It is just a maneuver to defeat the issue," said Leonard Lance, the newly elected Senate Republican leader.
Wherever it comes up, as it did in Massachusetts last year (it was defeated), the issue raises controversy and, for a while at least, forces public discussion of what we fear most: suffering, dependency and death.
Although this proposal has been defeated, the issue of high salaries and a widening wage gap has not gone away.
"We are within a handful of votes of defeating the government on this issue, and we have been overwhelmed by indications of support," said Porter.
There are those within Labour who think defeating the government on civil liberties' issues is a good recruiting sergeant for disillusioned Lib Dem voters.
Mr Blair was defeated on the issue, but his successor has grounds for hope this time.
Britain will not take part in any action, however, as the government was defeated on the issue in Parliament.
Brown is said to be keen to compromise with the rebels rather than risk being defeated on the issue during a time of weakened political authority.
It is feasible the Conservatives could be defeated on the issue since some Tories also oppose a graduated contributions for richer students in the form of higher interest rates on loans.
Barnes was defeated over the issue in 2002.
