U.S. lawmakers urge action on Harriet Tubman $20 bill after years of delay

A promise that faded away

In 2016, the Obama administration made a historic announcement. Harriet Tubman would replace Andrew Jackson on the front of the $20 bill. It was a moment of celebration for many Americans who saw it as long-overdue recognition.

But 10 years later, that promise has not been kept. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent recently told Spectrum News the plan is “not at present” moving forward. The decision has left many wondering why honoring an American hero keeps getting delayed.

Who was Harriet Tubman?

Harriet Tubman was born into slavery in Maryland’s Dorchester County around 1822. She escaped and became the most famous conductor of the Underground Railroad. She returned to Dorchester County 13 times to guide family members and others to freedom.

She was known as “Moses” by those who likened her work to the biblical figure who led the Israelites to freedom. Her courage and determination made her one of America’s most admired heroes. Having her face on the $20 bill would have been a powerful tribute to her legacy.

The 2016 announcement

Treasury Secretary Jacob Lew announced in April 2016 that Tubman would replace Andrew Jackson on the $20 bill. The plan also included adding Sojourner Truth and other suffrage leaders to the back of the $10 bill.

The timing was meaningful. Treasury anticipated unveiling final concept designs in 2020 to mark the 100th anniversary of the 19th Amendment. The Congressional Black Caucus Foundation praised the decision as recognition of women’s contributions to America.

Jackson’s complicated legacy

Andrew Jackson, the man Tubman was set to replace, has a controversial history. He was the seventh U.S. president and owned enslaved people. He also signed the Indian Removal Act of 1830, which forced tens of thousands of Native Americans from their lands.

Replacing Jackson with Tubman was deeply symbolic. An enslaver would have moved from the front of the bill, while a woman who helped people escape slavery would take his place. It would have been a powerful statement about who America chooses to honor.

Fun fact: Jackson was actually moved to the back of the $20 bill under the 2016 plan. His portrait would have remained on the currency, just not on the front.

Trump’s objections

When Donald Trump ran for president in 2016, he criticized the Tubman plan. He called it “pure political correctness” and suggested Tubman should instead appear on the $2 bill, a denomination that circulates far less often than the $20 bill.

During Trump’s first term, Steven Mnuchin said the $20 redesign would miss its 2020 deadline and be delayed until 2028. Reuters reported in 2026 that no new person has appeared on U.S. paper currency since 1928.

Fun fact: No new person has been added to U.S. paper currency since 1928, making the Tubman redesign a truly historic proposal.

Biden tried to restart it

After Biden took office in 2021, his administration revived the Tubman plan. Jen Psaki said officials were resuming the effort, and Janet Yellen later said new currency designs would include Tubman on the $20 bill.

The broader redesign timeline was driven by security and anti-counterfeiting needs. The Bureau of Engraving and Printing lists the $20 redesign after the $10 and $50 redesigns, with the $20 expected around 2030, pending developments in security and technology.

Bessent halts the plan

In July 2026, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent confirmed the plan was not moving forward. When asked about the Tubman $20 bill, he said, “We are not at present.” He did not publicly explain the reasoning behind the decision.

The decision halted a decade-long effort that Reuters reported had bipartisan support. Tubman would have been the first African American on U.S. paper currency. The decision disappointed many who had been waiting for this change.

Senators push back

Democratic senators are not giving up without a fight. Jeanne Shaheen of New Hampshire and Chris Van Hollen of Maryland led a letter to Bessent demanding answers.

The senators wrote that the decision abandons years of work at Treasury to honor her legacy. They urged Bessent to reconsider and resume plans to create the new bill immediately. They also requested a briefing by August 12 to explain the decision.

The $250 bill idea

Some officials in the Trump administration have supported a proposed $250 bill featuring Donald Trump. The idea is tied to America’s 250th anniversary of independence. However, there is a major obstacle.

Current law bars living people from U.S. paper currency unless Congress acts. A $250 Trump bill needs approval, while the U.S. Mint says his 2026 $1 coin will be released under the 2026 coin program.

What about Sojourner Truth?

The 2016 plan also included adding Sojourner Truth to the back of the $10 bill. Truth was an abolitionist and women’s rights advocate who escaped slavery and became a powerful speaker for freedom and equality.

The back of the $10 bill was set to honor suffrage movement leaders, including Lucretia Mott, Sojourner Truth, Susan B. Anthony, Elizabeth Cady Stanton, and Alice Paul. The Congressional Black Caucus Foundation said the decision highlighted the importance of women’s contributions to America.

Public input mattered

The Treasury Department received more than 1 million responses from Americans about the currency redesign. People shared their thoughts through town halls, roundtable conversations, letters, emails, handwritten notes, tweets, and social media posts.

Americans submitted hundreds of names of historical figures they wanted honored. Treasury said it heard strong encouragement to consider notes beyond the $10 bill, indicating that many citizens care about who appears on the nation’s money.

A symbol of representation

Having Tubman on the $20 bill meant more than just a new face on currency. It represented a shift in how America honors its history. Treasury said the redesign would put a woman on the front of U.S. currency for the first time in more than a century.

The change would have recognized courage, equality, and justice. It also would have recognized the contributions of African American women to the nation’s story. For many supporters, the delay feels like a step backward in representation.

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What comes next?

The future of the Tubman $20 bill remains uncertain. Democratic senators are demanding answers, but the administration has not announced plans to reverse course. The debate continues to spark conversations about history and representation.

For now, Americans will have to wait and see what happens next. This fight shows how much symbols matter to people. It is not just about money. It is about who the country honors and what it chooses to represent.

Curious about other political debates making headlines? Check out Lawmakers face continued impasse over Alaska gas pipeline proposal.

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This slideshow was made with AI assistance and human editing.

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