[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 192 (Tuesday, December 5, 1995)]
[Senate]
[Page S18014]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         THE BAD DEBT BOXSCORE

  Mr. HELMS. Mr. President, before discussing today's bad news about 
the Federal debt, how about another go, as the British put it, with our 
pop quiz. Remember--one question, one answer.
  The question: How many millions of dollars in a trillion? While you 
are thinking about it, bear in mind that it was the U.S. Congress that 
ran up the enormous Federal debt that is now about $12 billion shy of 
$5 trillion.
  To be exact, as of the close of business yesterday, December 4, the 
total Federal debt--down to the penny--stood at $4,988,891,675,281.12. 
Another depressing figure means that on a per capita basis, every man, 
woman and child in America owes $18,937.92.
  Mr. President, back to our quiz--how many millions in a trillion?: 
There are a million million in a trillion, which means that the Federal 
Government will shortly owe five million million.
  Now who is not in favor of balancing the Federal budget?

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