Not buying it.

WASHINGTON (AFP) — The White House warned Republicans on Monday that failing to raise the $14.29 trillion US debt limit would spark “Armageddon-like” consequences for the slowly recovering US economy.

“The consequences . . . of failure to raise the debt ceiling would be Armageddon-like in terms of the economy,” said White House spokesman Jay Carney.

Congress must raise the US debt limit, or the maximum amount the Treasury is allowed to borrow, by May 16 or see the United States default on interest payments of its debt.

But the move has become embroiled in fiercely partisan battles over the economy and spending.

Carney warned that the result of failing to raise the debt ceiling were so grave, it would be irresponsible for politicians to exploit the drama for political gain.

“We don’t need to play chicken with our economy by raising the debt ceiling,” said Carney.