[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 20 (Wednesday, March 4, 1998)]
[Senate]
[Page S1334]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       THE VERY BAD DEBT BOXSCORE

  Mr. HELMS. Madam President, at the close of business yesterday, 
Wednesday, March 3, 1998, the federal debt stood at 
$5,528,586,832,076.70 (Five trillion, five hundred twenty-eight 
billion, five hundred eighty-six million, eight hundred thirty-two 
thousand, seventy-six dollars and seventy cents).
  One year ago, March 3, 1997, the federal debt stood at 
$5,358,957,000,000 (Five trillion, three hundred fifty-eight billion, 
nine hundred fifty-seven million).
  Five years ago, March 3, 1993, the federal debt stood at 
$4,197,838,000,000 (Four trillion, one hundred ninety-seven billion, 
eight hundred thirty-eight million).
  Ten years ago, March 3, 1988, the federal debt stood at 
$2,492,076,000,000 (Two trillion, four hundred ninety-two billion, 
seventy-six million).
  Fifteen years ago, March 3, 1983, the federal debt stood at 
$1,219,388,000,000 (One trillion, two hundred nineteen billion, three 
hundred eighty-eight million) which reflects a debt increase of more 
than $4 trillion--$4,309,198,832,076.70 (Four trillion, three hundred 
nine billion, one hundred ninety-eight million, eight hundred thirty-
two thousand, seventy-six dollars and seventy cents) during the past 15 
years.

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