A woman drives past a firm offering cash loans, which use your car as collateral in Los Angeles on February 02, 2011. The United States is poised to hit its legal public debt ceiling of $14.29 trillion between April 5 and May 31, the US Treasury said as it seeks congressional action to raise the limit. The latest Treasury estimate came amid a brewing political fight over whether Congress will raise the government's legal limit on borrowing or force the government to cut borrowing and spending, and eventually risk a default on its obligations. If the ceiling is not raised, the United States would only have up to eight weeks before it runs out of cash to pay its bills, according to Treasury estimates. AFP PHOTO/Mark RALSTON (Photo credit should read MARK RALSTON/AFP/Getty Images)
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AFP MARK RALSTON