[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 115 (Thursday, September 3, 1998)]
[Senate]
[Page S9943]
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, September 2, 1998, the federal debt stood at 
$5,566,129,223,474.84 (Five trillion, five hundred sixty-six billion, 
one hundred twenty-nine million, two hundred twenty-three thousand, 
four hundred seventy-four dollars and eighty-four cents).
  One year ago, September 2, 1997, the federal debt stood at 
$5,424,369,000,000 (Five trillion, four hundred twenty-four billion, 
three hundred sixty-nine million).
  Five years ago, September 2, 1993, the federal debt stood at 
$4,399,264,000,000 (Four trillion, three hundred ninety-nine billion, 
two hundred sixty-four million).
  Ten years ago, September 2, 1988, the federal debt stood at 
$2,605,115,000,000 (Two trillion, six hundred five billion, one hundred 
fifteen million).
  Fifteen years ago, September 2, 1983, the federal debt stood at 
$1,358,215,000,000 (One trillion, three hundred fifty-eight billion, 
two hundred fifteen million) which reflects a debt increase of more 
than $4 trillion--$4,207,914,223,474.84 (Four trillion, two hundred 
seven billion, nine hundred fourteen million, two hundred twenty-three 
thousand, four hundred seventy-four dollars and eighty-four cents) 
during the past 15 years.

                          ____________________