Democrats Urge Trump Administration to Feature Harriet Tubman on $20 Bill
Democratic senators are pushing the Trump administration to reinstate the plan to feature Harriet Tubman on the $20 bill, following comments from Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent indicating the redesign is no longer a priority.
Seattle Tacoma, WA, July 30, 2026 —
A group of Democratic senators has intensified its call for the reinstatement of plans to place abolitionist leader Harriet Tubman on the front of the U.S. $20 bill. This push comes in the wake of recent remarks by Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, who suggested that the redesign is no longer considered a priority by the current administration.
The initiative to feature Tubman on the currency gained momentum during the Obama administration, with a formal announcement made in 2016 that her portrait would replace that of President Andrew Jackson on the $20 note. The proposed redesign aimed to honor Tubman’s pivotal role in the Underground Railroad and her lifelong fight against slavery.
However, the process has faced considerable delays and shifting political winds. While the initial timeline anticipated the new bills being introduced during the Trump administration, that did not materialize. Bessent’s recent comments have now fueled concerns among proponents that the Tubman $20 bill may be permanently shelved.
In response to these developments, senators have reiterated their commitment to seeing the Tubman bill become a reality. They argue that featuring Tubman would serve as a significant and appropriate recognition of her historical contributions and would align with efforts to diversify the imagery on U.S. currency. The specific details regarding any potential legal or administrative steps being taken by the senators were not immediately available.
The Treasury Department’s position, as indicated by Bessent, suggests a potential shift in focus for currency redesigns. The decision on which historical figures appear on U.S. currency is a complex process, often involving public input and significant administrative review. The future of the Harriet Tubman $20 bill remains uncertain as these discussions continue.
Story summarized from the original created by Chris.Williams@fox.com (Chris Williams) on www.fox13seattle.com, see more information here.
