[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 95 (Monday, June 12, 1995)]
[Senate]
[Page S8132]
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 to make a matter of record the exact Federal debt 
as of close of business the previous day. On Mondays, of course, my 
reports are always as of the previous Friday.
  As of the close of business Friday, June 9, the Federal debt stood at 
exactly $4,899,367,488,389.95. On a per capita basis, every man, woman, 
and child in America owes $18,598.08 as his or her share of the Federal 
debt.
  It is important to recall, Mr. President, that the Senate this year 
missed an opportunity to implement a balanced budget amendment to the 
U.S. Constitution. Regrettably, the Senate failed by one vote in that 
first attempt to bring the Federal debt under control.
  There will be another opportunity in the months ahead to approve such 
a constitutional amendment.


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