[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 61 (Thursday, May 14, 1998)]
[Senate]
[Pages S4901-S4902]
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, May 13, 1998, the federal debt

[[Page S4902]]

stood at $5,492,157,484,525.10 (Five trillion, four hundred ninety-two 
billion, one hundred fifty-seven million, four hundred eighty-four 
thousand, five hundred twenty-five dollars and ten cents).
  One year ago, May 13, 1997, the federal debt stood at 
$5,337,495,000,000 (Five trillion, three hundred thirty-seven billion, 
four hundred ninety-five million).
  Five years ago, May 13, 1993, the federal debt stood at 
$4,247,269,000,000 (Four trillion, two hundred forty-seven billion, two 
hundred sixty-nine million).
  Ten years ago, May 13, 1988, the federal debt stood at 
$2,510,149,000,000 (Two trillion, five hundred ten billion, one hundred 
forty-nine million).
  Fifteen years ago, May 13, 1983, the federal debt stood at 
$1,258,087,000,000 (One trillion, two hundred fifty-eight billion, 
eighty-seven million) which reflects a debt increase of more than $4 
trillion--$4,234,070,484,525.10 (Four trillion, two hundred thirty-four 
billion, seventy million, four hundred eighty-four thousand, five 
hundred twenty-five dollars and ten cents) during the past 15 years.

                          ____________________