[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 137 (Monday, October 5, 1998)]
[Senate]
[Page S11450]
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, October 1, 1998, the federal debt stood at 
$5,540,570,493,226.32 (Five trillion, five hundred forty billion, five 
hundred seventy million, four hundred ninety-three thousand, two 
hundred twenty-six dollars and thirty-two cents).
  One year ago, October 1, 1997, the federal debt stood at 
$5,420,506,000,000 (Five trillion, four hundred twenty billion, five 
hundred six million).
  Five years ago, October 1, 1993, the federal debt stood at 
$4,406,340,000,000 (Four trillion, four hundred six billion, three 
hundred forty million).
  Twenty-five years ago, October 1, 1973, the federal debt stood at 
$460,589,000,000 (Four hundred sixty billion, five hundred eighty-nine 
million) which reflects a debt increase of more than $5 trillion--
$5,079,981,493,226.32 (Five trillion, seventy-nine billion, nine 
hundred eighty-one million, four hundred ninety-three thousand, two 
hundred twenty-six dollars and thirty-two cents) during the past 25 
years.

                          ____________________