[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 75 (Monday, May 8, 1995)]
[Senate]
[Page S6240]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


         WAS CONGRESS IRRESPONSIBLE? THE VOTERS HAVE SAID YES.

  Mr. HELMS. Mr. President, more than 3 years ago I began these daily 
reports to the Senate making a matter of record the exact Federal debt 
as of close of business the previous day.
  As of the close of business Friday, April 28, the exact Federal debt 
stood at $4,857,682,676,296.70, meaning that on a per capita basis, 
every man, woman, and child in America owes $18,439.85 as his or her 
share of the Federal debt.
  It's important to note, Mr. President, that the United States had an 
opportunity to begin controlling the Federal debt by implementing a 
balanced budget amendment to the Constitution. Unfortunately, the 
Senate did not seize its first opportunity to control this debt--but 
there will be another chance during the 104th Congress.


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