[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 3 (Thursday, January 29, 1998)]
[Senate]
[Pages S204-S205]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       THE VERY BAD DEBT BOXSCORE

  Mr. HELMS. Mr. President, at the close of business yesterday, 
Wednesday, January 28, 1998, the Federal debt stood at 
$5,492,555,021,481.61 (Five trillion, four hundred ninety-two billion, 
five hundred fifty-five million, twenty-one thousand, four hundred 
eighty-one dollars and sixty-one cents).
  One year ago, January 28, 1997, the Federal debt stood at 
$5,317,192,000,000 (Five trillion, three hundred seventeen billion, one 
hundred ninety-two million).
  Five years ago, January 28, 1993, the Federal debt stood at 
$4,173,554,000,000 (Four trillion, one hundred seventy-three billion, 
five hundred fifty-four million).
  Ten years ago, January 28, 1988, the Federal debt stood at 
$2,448,460,000,000 (Two trillion, four hundred forty-eight billion, 
four hundred sixty million).
  Fifteen years ago, January 28, 1983, the Federal debt stood at 
$1,196,067,000,000 (One trillion, one hundred ninety-six billion, 
sixty-seven million) which reflects a debt increase of

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more than $4 trillion--$4,296,488,021,481.61 (Four trillion, two 
hundred ninety-six billion, four hundred eighty-eight million, twenty-
one thousand, four hundred eighty-one dollars and sixty-one cents) 
during the past 15 years.

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