[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 21 (Wednesday, March 1, 2000)]
[Senate]
[Page S1021]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       THE VERY BAD DEBT BOXSCORE

  Mr. HELMS. Mr. President, in honor of Leap Day, which was yesterday, 
I am going to vary my regular format.
  It is estimated that 200,000 people in the United States were born on 
February 29th. While these individuals may not share their birthdays 
with their families and loved ones every year, they do share--every 
year--in the less than desirable Federal debt like the rest of us.
  Since 1970, the Federal debt has leapt remarkably--reaching 
$5,735,333,348,132.58 (Five trillion, seven hundred thirty-five 
billion, three hundred thirty-three million, three hundred forty-eight 
thousand, one hundred thirty-two dollars and fifty-eight cents) at the 
close of business yesterday, February 29, 2000.
  The previous Leap Day, February 29, 1996, the Federal debt stood at 
$5,016,041,000,000 (Five trillion, sixteen billion, forty-one million) 
which reflects a debt increase of more than $700 billion--
$719,292,348,132.58 (Seven hundred nineteen billion, two hundred 
ninety-two million, three hundred forty-eight thousand, one hundred 
thirty-two dollars and fifty-eight cents) during the past four years.
  Today, Mr. President, each citizen's share of the Federal debt is 
$20,727.13. Translating this figure into the amount that Leap Day 
citizens owe, the figure becomes $4,145,426,000.00 (Four billion, one 
hundred forty-five million, four hundred twenty-six thousand). This 
amount may not seem like a lot, but it is when you consider it is only 
enough to pay down four days worth of the interest on the Federal debt.
  Mr. President, I wish my Senate colleagues to note how tragic it is 
that our country's debt leaps with more frequency than the years do.

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