[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 25 (Wednesday, March 11, 1998)]
[Senate]
[Page S1770]
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, 
Tuesday, March 10, 1998, the federal debt stood at 
$5,525,631,040,092.91 (Five trillion, five hundred twenty-five billion, 
six hundred thirty-one million, forty thousand, ninety-two dollars and 
ninety-one cents).
  One year ago, March 10, 1997, the federal debt stood at 
$5,354,330,000,000 (Five trillion, three hundred fifty-four billion, 
three hundred thirty million).
  Five years ago, March 10, 1993, the federal debt stood at 
$4,208,636,000,000 (Four trillion, two hundred eight billion, six 
hundred thirty-six million).
  Ten years ago, March 10, 1988, the federal debt stood at 
$2,481,157,000,000 (Two trillion, four hundred eighty-one billion, one 
hundred fifty-seven million).
  Fifteen years ago, March 10, 1983, the federal debt stood at 
$1,224,513,000,000 (One trillion, two hundred twenty-four billion, five 
hundred thirteen million) which reflects a debt increase of more than 
$4 trillion--$4,301,118,040,092.91 (Four trillion, three hundred one 
billion, one hundred eighteen million, forty thousand, ninety-two 
dollars and ninety-one cents) during the past 15 years.

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