[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 133 (Wednesday, August 9, 1995)]
[Senate]
[Page S12077]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


           WAS CONGRESS IRRESPONSIBLE? LOOK AT THE ARITHMETIC

  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.
  As of the close of business Monday, August 8, the Federal debt stood 
at exactly $4,945,212,125,332.53. Computed on a per capita basis, every 
man, woman, and child in America owes $18,772.11 as his or her share of 
the Federal debt.
  It is important to bear in mind, 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 
its 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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