[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 26 (Thursday, March 12, 1998)]
[Senate]
[Page S1820]
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, March 11, 1998, the federal debt stood at 
$5,528,971,446,018.69 (Five trillion, five hundred twenty-eight 
billion, nine hundred seventy-one million, four hundred forty-six 
thousand, eighteen dollars and sixty-nine cents).
  One year ago, March 11, 1997, the federal debt stood at 
$5,357,359,000,000 (Five trillion, three hundred fifty-seven billion, 
three hundred fifty-nine million).
  Five years ago, March 11, 1993, the federal debt stood at 
$4,211,257,000,000 (Four trillion, two hundred eleven billion, two 
hundred fifty-seven million).
  Ten years ago, March 11, 1988, the federal debt stood at 
$2,482,356,000,000 (Two trillion, four hundred eighty-two billion, 
three hundred fifty-six million).
  Fifteen years ago, March 11, 1983, the federal debt stood at 
$1,225,057,000,000 (One trillion, two hundred twenty-five billion, 
fifty-seven million) which reflects a debt increase of more than $4 
trillion--$4,303,914,446,018.69 (Four trillion, three hundred three 
billion, nine hundred fourteen million, four hundred forty-six 
thousand, eighteen dollars and sixty-nine cents) during the past 15 
years.

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