[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 15 (Wednesday, February 25, 1998)]
[Senate]
[Page S1002]
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, 
Tuesday, February 24, 1998, the Federal debt stood at 
$5,522,503,241,725.24 (Five trillion, five hundred twenty-two billion, 
five hundred three million, two hundred forty-one thousand, seven 
hundred twenty-five dollars and twenty-four cents).
  One year ago, February 24, 1997, the Federal debt stood at 
$5,340,989,000,000 (Five trillion, three hundred forty billion, nine 
hundred eighty-nine million).
  Five years ago, February 24, 1993, the Federal debt stood at 
$4,198,006,000,000 (Four trillion, one hundred ninety-eight billion, 
six million).
  Ten years ago, February 24, 1988, the Federal debt stood at 
$2,472,187,000,000 (Two trillion, four hundred seventy-two billion, one 
hundred eighty-seven million).
  Fifteen years ago, February 24, 1983, the Federal debt stood at 
$1,211,713,000,000 (One trillion, two hundred eleven billion, seven 
hundred thirteen million) which reflects a debt increase of more than 
$4 trillion--$4,310,790,241,725.24 (Four trillion, three hundred ten 
billion, seven hundred ninety million, two hundred forty-one thousand, 
seven hundred twenty-five dollars and twenty-four cents) during the 
past 15 years.

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