[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 100 (Monday, June 19, 1995)]
[Senate]
[Page S8598]
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 16, the Federal debt stood 
at exactly $4,892,368,600,316.89. On a per capita basis, every man, 
woman, and child in America owes $18,571.52 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.
  Mr. THOMAS. Mr. President, I suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll.
  The assistant legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mr. THOMAS. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for 
the quorum call be rescinded.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.

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