[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 7 (Thursday, February 5, 1998)]
[Senate]
[Page S450]
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, February 4, 1998, the Federal debt stood at 
$5,475,809,861,023.23 (Five trillion, four hundred seventy-five 
billion, eight hundred nine million, eight hundred sixty-one thousand, 
twenty-three dollars and twenty-three cents).
  One year ago, February 4, 1997, the Federal debt stood at 
$5,300,797,000,000 (Five trillion, three hundred billion, seven hundred 
ninety-seven million).
  Five years ago, February 4, 1993, the Federal debt stood at 
$4,173,289,000,000 (Four trillion, one hundred seventy-three billion, 
two hundred eighty-nine million).
  Ten years ago, February 4, 1988, the Federal debt stood at 
$2,458,727,000,000 (Two trillion, four hundred fifty-eight billion, 
seven hundred twenty-seven million).
  Fifteen years ago, February 4, 1983, the Federal debt stood at 
$1,198,779,000,000 (One trillion, one hundred ninety-eight billion, 
seven hundred seventy-nine million) which reflects a debt increase of 
more than $4 trillion--$4,277,030,861,023.23 (Four trillion, two 
hundred seventy-seven billion, thirty million, eight hundred sixty-one 
thousand, twenty-three dollars and twenty-three cents) during the past 
15 years.

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