[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 63 (Monday, May 18, 1998)]
[Senate]
[Page S5013]
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 Friday, May 15, 
1998, the federal debt stood at $5,496,348,505,044.25 (Five trillion, 
four hundred ninety-six billion, three hundred forty-eight million, 
five hundred five thousand, forty-four dollars and twenty-five cents).
  One year ago, May 15, 1997, the federal debt stood at 
$5,344,063,000,000 (Five trillion, three hundred forty-four billion, 
sixty-three million).
  Twenty-five years ago, May 15, 1973, the federal debt stood at 
$452,610,000,000 (Four hundred fifty-two billion, six hundred ten 
million) which reflects a debt increase of more than $5 trillion--
$5,043,738,505,044.25 (Five trillion, forty-three billion, seven 
hundred thirty-eight million, five hundred five thousand, forty-four 
dollars and twenty-five cents) during the past 25 years.

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