[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 13 (Wednesday, January 31, 1996)]
[Senate]
[Page S588]
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 $13 billion shy of 
$5 trillion.
  To be exact, as of the close of business Tuesday, January 30, the 
total Federal debt--down to the penny--stood at $4,987,589,544,052.52. 
Another depressing figure means that on a per capita basis, every man, 
woman and child in America owes $18,931.32.
  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 five million million dollars.
  Now who's not in favor of balancing the Federal budget?

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