By Steven T. Dennis and JM Rieger

White House Press Secretary Jay Carney said Wednesday it’s “a shame” that House Republicans haven’t passed an unemployment extension — and suggested they should act without requiring something in return. “It is our view that these are benefits that ought to be extended to Americans — to millions of Americans who need them,” Carney said. “We do not view it as a cynical horse-trading exercise to achieve some ideological objective.”