[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 46 (Tuesday, March 23, 1999)]
[Senate]
[Page S3119]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       THE VERY BAD DEBT BOXSCORE

  Mr. HELMS. Madam President, at the close of business yesterday, 
Monday, March 22, 1999, the federal debt stood at $5,642,227,279,510.37 
(Five trillion, six hundred forty-two billion, two hundred twenty-seven 
million, two hundred seventy-nine thousand, five hundred ten dollars 
and thirty-seven cents).
  Five years ago, March 22, 1994, the federal debt stood at 
$4,557,220,000,000 (Four trillion, five hundred fifty-seven billion, 
two hundred twenty million).
  Ten years ago, March 22, 1989, the federal debt stood at 
$2,736,549,000,000 (Two trillion, seven hundred thirty-six billion, 
five hundred forty-nine million).
  Fifteen years ago, March 22, 1984, the federal debt stood at 
$1,465,629,000,000 (One trillion, four hundred sixty-five billion, six 
hundred twenty-nine million).
  Twenty-five years ago, March 22, 1974, the federal debt stood at 
$471,830,000,000 (Four hundred seventy-one billion, eight hundred 
thirty million) which reflects a debt increase of more than $5 
trillion--$5,170,397,279,510.37 (Five trillion, one hundred seventy 
billion, three hundred ninety-seven million, two hundred seventy-nine 
thousand, five hundred ten dollars and thirty-seven cents) during the 
past 25 years.

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