[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 37 (Friday, March 27, 1998)]
[Senate]
[Page S2715]
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, 
Thursday, March 26, 1998, the federal debt stood at 
$5,546,161,688,949.53 (Five trillion, five hundred forty-six billion, 
one hundred sixty-one million, six hundred eighty-eight thousand, nine 
hundred forty-nine dollars and fifty-three cents).
  One year ago, March 26, 1997, the federal debt stood at 
$5,377,852,000,000 (Five trillion, three hundred seventy-seven billion, 
eight hundred fifty-two million).
  Five years ago, March 26, 1993, the federal debt stood at 
$4,224,085,000,000 (Four trillion, two hundred twenty-four billion, 
eighty-five million).
  Twenty-five years ago, March 26, 1973, the federal debt stood at 
$457,356,000,000 (Four hundred fifty-seven billion, three hundred 
fifty-six million) which reflects a debt increase of more than $5 
trillion--$5,088,805,688,949.53 (Five trillion, eighty-eight billion, 
eight hundred five million, six hundred eighty-eight thousand, nine 
hundred forty-nine dollars and fifty-three cents) during the past 25 
years.

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