[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 7 (Monday, January 22, 1996)]
[Senate]
[Page S188]
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 Friday, January 19, the 
total Federal debt--down to the penny--stood at $4,988,397,941,589.45. 
Another depressing figure means that on a per capita basis, every man, 
woman, and child in America owes $18,934.39.
  Mr. President, back to our quiz--how many million in a trillion?: 
There are a million million in a trillion, which means that the Federal 
Government will shortly owe $5 million million.
  Now who's not in favor of balancing the Federal budget?

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