Blazes create firestorm

The blazes in California this week sparked a political firestorm in Washington on Thursday as House Republicans tried to block a vote expanding children's health insurance. Lisa Friedman in the Daily News.

With seven GOP lawmakers in the Southland touring fire damage and helping evacuated constituents, Republicans asked Democrats to delay until next week votes on a revised but still-controversial bill expanding the State Children's Health Insurance Program.

Democrats refused. The Californians' absence would not affect the final outcome, they contended, while also noting that the House conducted critical votes in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina even though Louisiana and Mississippi lawmakers rushed to their home states.