[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 19 (Tuesday, March 3, 1998)]
[Senate]
[Page S1254]
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, Monday, 
March 2, 1998, the federal debt stood at $5,514,791,303,162.77 (Five 
trillion, five hundred fourteen billion, seven hundred ninety-one 
million, three hundred three thousand, one hundred sixty-two dollars 
and seventy-seven cents).
  Five years ago, March 2, 1993, the federal debt stood at 
$4,205,665,000,000 (Four trillion, two hundred five billion, six 
hundred sixty-five million).
  Ten years ago, March 2, 1988, the federal debt stood at 
$2,489,404,000,000 (Two trillion, four hundred eighty-nine billion, 
four hundred four million).
  Fifteen years ago, March 2, 1983, the federal debt stood at 
$1,220,347,000,000 (One trillion, two hundred twenty billion, three 
hundred forty-seven million).
  Twenty-five years ago, March 2, 1973, the federal debt stood at 
$455,045,000,000 (Four hundred fifty-five billion, forty-five million) 
which reflects a debt increase of more than $5 trillion --
$5,059,746,303,162.77 (Five trillion, fifty-nine billion, seven hundred 
forty-six million, three hundred three thousand, one hundred sixty-two 
dollars and seventy-seven cents) during the past 25 years.

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