[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 146 (Tuesday, September 19, 1995)]
[Senate]
[Page S13751]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         THE BAD DEBT BOXSCORE

  Mr. HELMS. Mr. President, the skyrocketing Federal debt, now soaring 
toward $5 trillion, has been fueled for a generation now by 
bureaucratic hot air--and it is sort of like the weather--everybody 
talks about it but almost nobody did much about it until immediately 
after the elections in November 1994.
  But when the new 104th Congress convened this past January, the U.S. 
House of Representatives quickly approved a balanced budget amendment 
to the U.S. Constitution. On the Senate side, all but one of the 54 
Republicans supported the balanced budget amendment--that was the good 
news.
  The bad news was that only 13 Democrats supported it--which killed 
hopes for a balanced budget amendment for the time being. Since a two-
thirds vote--67 Senators, if all Senator's are present--is necessary to 
approve a constitutional amendment, the proposed Senate amendment 
failed by one vote. There will be another vote either this year or in 
1996.
  Here is today's bad debt boxscore:
  As of the close of business Monday, September 18, the Federal debt--
down to the penny--stood at exactly $4,963,468,747,991.22 or $18,841.41 
for every man, woman, and child on a per capita basis.
  Mr. DORGAN addressed the Chair.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mrs. Hutchison). The Senator from North Dakota 
is recognized.


                           ORDER OF PROCEDURE

  The PRESIDING OFFICER. At 9:30, the Senate is to go to the previous 
order. There is at least one other speaker, possibly two, so could we 
have a division of time so that everyone will have an opportunity to 
speak.
  Mr. DORGAN. Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that I be 
allowed to speak for 4 minutes; I believe the Senator from Connecticut 
would like to speak for 4 minutes, and the Senator from Wyoming would 
like to speak for 4 minutes, and have the time adjusted at 9:30 to 
accommodate this request.
  Mr. COCHRAN. Reserving the right to object.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there objection?
  Mr. COCHRAN. Reserving the right to object, Madam President, I was 
unable to hear the entire consent request.
  Could the Senator restate it?
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. It would extend morning business beyond 9:30.
  Mr. COCHRAN. Madam President, I am constrained to object to that. We 
made it very clear last night what the times were. We have Senators who 
have rearranged schedules to be here.
  Mr. DORGAN. I withdraw my request, Madam President.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Would it be possible to give 2 minutes to each 
of the three speakers?
  Mr. DORGAN. Madam President, I request each of the three be allocated 
2 minutes.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there objection? The Chair hears none, and 
it is so ordered.

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