On the recordMarch 8, 1995
let us say it again: Anyone even remotely familiar with the U.S. Constitution knows that no President can spend a dime of the taxpayers' money that has not first been both authorized and appropriated by Congress. So if you hear a politician or an editor or a commentator declare that ``Reagan ran up the Federal debt'' or that ``Bush ran it up,'' just bear in mind that the Founding Fathers made it very clear that it is the constitutional duty of Congress to control Federal spending. The fiscal irresponsibility of Congress has created a Federal debt which stood at $4,851,012,058,348.35 as of the close of business Tuesday, March 7. Averaged out, every man, woman, and child in America owes a share of this massive debt, and that per capita share is $18,414.53.
Source
govinfo.gov
