March 21 (Bloomberg) -- A federal judge declined for now to order a feeding tube reinserted in Terri Schiavo, the brain- damaged Florida woman who has been in a vegetative state for 15 years.

U.S. District Judge James Whittemore, after hearing arguments for about two hours in Tampa, gave no indication of how soon he may act on a request by Schiavo's parents to order the tube inserted.

``I will not tell you when, how or how long it will take,'' Whittemore said.

Today's hearing was prompted by an extraordinary post- midnight session of Congress aimed at authorizing the federal courts to intercede. President George W. Bush signed the measure early today.

To contact the reporter on this story: Jeff St.Onge at jstonge@bloomberg.net

Last Updated: March 21, 2005 17:11 EST