[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 53 (Monday, April 19, 1999)]
[Senate]
[Page S3845]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                            MORNING BUSINESS

  Mrs. HUTCHISON. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the 
Senate now proceed to a period of morning business with Senators 
permitted to speak up to 10 minutes each.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.


                       THE VERY BAD DEBT BOXSCORE

  Mr. HELMS. Mr. President, at the close of business Friday, April 16, 
1999, the federal debt stood at $5,640,540,994,484.49 (Five trillion, 
six hundred forty billion, five hundred forty million, nine hundred 
ninety-four thousand, four hundred eighty-four dollars and forty-nine 
cents).
  One year ago, April 16, 1998, the federal debt stood at 
$5,510,369,000,000 (Five trillion, five hundred ten billion, three 
hundred sixty-nine million).
  Fifteen years ago, April 16, 1984, the federal debt stood at 
$1,486,333,000,000 (One trillion, four hundred eighty-six billion, 
three hundred thirty-three million).
  Twenty-five years ago, April 16, 1974, the federal debt stood at 
$473,584,000,000 (Four hundred seventy-three billion, five hundred 
eighty-four million) which reflects a debt increase of more than $5 
trillion--$5,166,956,994,484.49 (Five trillion, one hundred sixty-six 
billion, nine hundred fifty-six million, nine hundred ninety-four 
thousand, four hundred eighty-four dollars and forty-nine cents) during 
the past 25 years.

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