PINELLAS PARK, Fla. - The fate of Terri Schiavo once again was in the hands of a judge Monday, following an extraordinary political fight over the brain-damaged woman that consumed both chambers of Congress and prompted the president to rush back to the White House from his Texas ranch.

Taking the Senate’s lead, the House early Monday passed a bill to let the woman’s parents ask a federal judge to prolong Schiavo’s life by reinserting her feeding tube. President Bush signed the measure less than an hour later, at 1:11 a.m. ET. A White House source said he was woken from his sleep for the signing.

The White House said the law was narrowly tailored and not intended as a precedent for Congress to step into battles over the fate of seriously disabled or terminally ill patients.

But in a written statement, Bush promised to “stand on the side of those defending life for all Americans, including those with disabilities.”

Speaking in Arizona later on Monday, Bush said Congress had given the parents of Terri Schiavo "another opportunity to save their daughter's life." In extraordinary circumstances such as these, he said, it is "wise to always err on the side of life."

Bush's brother Florida Gov. Jeb Bush praised Congress for its "extraordinary action" in the Schiavo matter and rejected criticism that the legislation represented an unwarranted federal intrusion in a state case.

"They're not overruling any decision in asking federal to review the decision. I think that's more than appropriate," he said, adding that efforts would continue to find a compromise on state legislation to protect Schiavo.

The governor said he was in frequent contact during the weekend with Republican congressional leaders.

Until now, federal courts have turned the case back to state courts. The law gives the U.S. District Court in Tampa jurisdiction on a case that has been taken up by Republican leaders and galvanized activists on both sides of the emotional end-of-life issue.

An attorney for her parents, Bob and Mary Schindler, went to the federal district court in Tampa at 3 a.m. ET, filing a request for an emergency injunction to keep their daughter fed.

It was not known when the judge, James Whittemore, would make a ruling but his office announced a hearing for 3 p.m. ET.

The parents' attorney, David Gibbs, said the judge had lots of paperwork to read through. Asked if he had any indication when the judge would rule, Gibbs said: “I have no way to know, just that it’s in the hands of the court.”

Husband loses latest battle
Florida state courts had earlier upheld multiple decisions that Michael Schiavo, Terri Schiavo's husband, was entitled to carry out what he said his wife would have wanted for herself.

Michael Schiavo, who has battled in court for years with his wife's parents, said he was outraged that congressional leaders were intervening. "It’s a sad day for Terri and it’s a sad day for everybody in America because the government is going to trample all over your personal and private matters,” he told NBC's "Today" show Monday. “This is an outrage. They have no business in this matter.”

Outside the hospice, a shout of joy when news of the House bill’s passage came. Among those cheering was David Bayly, of Toledo, Ohio. “I’m overjoyed to see the vote and see Terri’s life extended by whatever amount God gives her,” he said.