[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 85 (Monday, May 22, 1995)]
[Senate]
[Page S7118]
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 making 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, May 19, the exact Federal debt 
stood at $4,883,151,973,639.38, meaning that on a per capita basis, 
every man, woman, and child in America owes $18,536.53 as his or her 
share of the Federal debt.
  It is important to note, Mr. President, that the Senate had an 
opportunity to implement a balanced budget amendment to the 
Constitution. The Senate lost its first opportunity to control this 
debt by one vote. There will be another opportunity in the months 
ahead.

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