Washington (CNN) -- With time running out for Congress to prevent a doubling of interest rates on federal student loans, the White House and Republican leaders exchanged accusations Thursday on who was to blame for the lack of an agreement. President Barack Obama chided Republicans for holding up a deal with unreasonable demands, and he urged college students to continue raising their voices on the issue. However, spokesmen for Republican leaders in the House and Senate denied an assertion by press secretary Jay Carney that the White House has been working with them to try to reach a deal. Asked about GOP complaints that the White House has not reached out to Republicans on the issue in recent days, Carney said that "we are actively working with members of Congress to get this done," adding, "in both parties."
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NEW: Sen. McConnell says it is Democrats stalling progress to score political points
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The president urges Congress to prevent interest rates on student loans from doubling
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Senate Majority Leader Reid says recent talks provide hope for a resolution
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Without action, the current 3.4% interest rate will rise to 6.8% at the end of June
On the Senate floor, @placeholder accused Obama and Democrats of playing political games on the issue.
@placeholder want to eliminate certain tax benefits for small-business owners, while Republicans want to cut a preventive-care fund created in 2010 as part of Obama's health care reform law.
"Over in the House, the @placeholder said they'd keep these rates down only if we agreed to cut things like preventative health care for women, which obviously wouldn't fix the problem but would create a new problem," the president continued.