[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 54 (Tuesday, May 5, 1998)]
[Senate]
[Page S4353]
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, Monday, 
May 4, 1998, the federal debt stood at $5,477,263,228,571.00 (Five 
trillion, four hundred seventy-seven billion, two hundred sixty-three 
million, two hundred twenty-eight thousand, five hundred seventy-one 
dollars and zero cents).
  Five years ago, May 4, 1993, the federal debt stood at 
$4,240,752,000,000 (Four trillion, two hundred forty billion, seven 
hundred fifty-two million).
  Ten years ago, May 4, 1988, the federal debt stood at 
$2,514,920,000,000 (Two trillion, five hundred fourteen billion, nine 
hundred twenty million).
  Fifteen years ago, May 4, 1983, the federal debt stood at 
$1,262,026,000,000 (One trillion, two hundred sixty-two billion, 
twenty-six million).
  Twenty-five years ago, May 4, 1973, the federal debt stood at 
$452,347,000,000 (Four hundred fifty-two billion, three hundred forty-
seven million) which reflects a debt increase of more than $5 
trillion--$5,024,916,228,571.00 (Five trillion, twenty-four billion, 
nine hundred sixteen million, two hundred twenty-eight thousand, five 
hundred seventy-one dollars and zero cents) during the past 25 years.

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