[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 46 (Thursday, April 23, 1998)]
[Senate]
[Page S3531]
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, April 22, 1998, the federal debt stood at 
$5,521,690,068,621.47 (Five trillion, five hundred twenty-one billion, 
six hundred ninety million, sixty-eight thousand, six hundred twenty-
one dollars and forty-seven cents).
  One year ago, April 22, 1997, the federal debt stood at 
$5,340,281,000,000 (Five trillion, three hundred forty billion, two 
hundred eighty-one million).
  Five years ago, April 22, 1993, the federal debt stood at 
$4,228,121,000,000 (Four trillion, two hundred twenty-eight billion, 
one hundred twenty-one million).
  Ten years ago, April 22, 1988, the federal debt stood at 
$2,499,356,000,000 (Two trillion, four hundred ninety-nine billion, 
three hundred fifty-six million).
  Fifteen years ago, April 22, 1983, the federal debt stood at 
$1,244,297,000,000 (One trillion, two hundred forty-four billion, two 
hundred ninety-seven million) which reflects a debt increase of more 
than $4 trillion--$4,277,393,068,621.47 (Four trillion, two hundred 
seventy-seven billion, three hundred ninety-three million, sixty-eight 
thousand, six hundred twenty-one dollars and forty-seven cents) during 
the past 15 years.




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