Key facts
- Democratic senators urged the Trump administration to revive plans for a $20 bill featuring Harriet Tubman.
- Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent stated the department is not currently pursuing the redesign.
- The original plan to feature Tubman on the $20 bill was announced by the Obama administration in 2016.
- Some officials are reportedly seeking to place President Donald Trump's image on a proposed $250 bill.
- Placing Trump's image on currency would require congressional legislation.
U.S. Democratic senators have called on the Trump administration to revive a plan to feature anti-slavery activist Harriet Tubman on the $20 bill, following Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent's statement that the department is not currently pursuing the redesign. The Obama administration had announced in 2016 that Tubman would replace Andrew Jackson on the currency.
In a letter to Bessent, senators led by Jeanne Shaheen and Chris Van Hollen urged the Treasury to reconsider and resume plans for the new bill, highlighting the years of work and bipartisan support for honoring Tubman's legacy. They also sought an explanation for the decision to halt the redesign.
The report also notes that some administration officials are exploring the possibility of placing President Donald Trump's image on a proposed $250 bill to commemorate the United States' 250th anniversary. Such a move would necessitate congressional legislation, as current law prohibits living individuals from appearing on U.S. paper currency. A commemorative coin bearing Trump's image is already in production, authorized by a law signed in 2020.