[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 67 (Friday, May 22, 1998)]
[Senate]
[Page S5420]
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, May 21, 1998, the federal debt stood at $5,503,780,049,716.42 
(Five trillion, five hundred three billion, seven hundred eighty 
million, forty-nine thousand, seven hundred sixteen dollars and forty-
two cents).
  One year ago, May 21, 1997, the federal debt stood at 
$5,348,058,000,000 (Five trillion, three hundred forty-eight billion, 
fifty-eight million).
  Five years ago, May 21, 1993, the federal debt stood at 
$4,287,850,000,000 (Four trillion, two hundred eighty-seven billion, 
eight hundred fifty million).
  Twenty-five years ago, May 21, 1973, the federal debt stood at 
$453,228,000,000 (Four hundred fifty-three billion, two hundred twenty-
eight million) which reflects a debt increase of more than $5 
trillion--$5,050,552,049,716.42 (Five trillion, fifty billion, five 
hundred fifty-two million, forty-nine thousand, seven hundred sixteen 
dollars and forty-two cents) during the past 25 years.

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