If you were looking forward to the unveiling of the redesign of the $20 bill featuring abolitionist hero, Harriet Tubman in 2020, we have some bad news for you.
According to Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin, there will be no Harriet Tubman bill in the near future. He says the design process has been delayed and no new imagery will be unveiled until 2018.
The unveiling has been timed to coincide with the 100th anniversary of the 19th Amendment, which granted women the right to vote. When asked by Rep. Ayanna Pressley, D-Mass on the reasons why he says:
“The primary reason we have looked at redesigning the currency is for counterfeiting issues. Based upon this, the $20 bill will now not come out until 2028. The $10 bill and the $50 bill will come out with new features beforehand.”
People other than white men built this county. And Sec Mnuchin agrees, yet he refuses to update our #currency. #HarrietTubman #MarianAnderson & #EleanorRoosevelt are iconic Americans & its past time that our reflects that. #RepresentationMatters | https://t.co/nJmhiktHPm pic.twitter.com/hKQSR3Gl8P
— Rep Ayanna Pressley (@RepPressley) May 22, 2019
CNBC reports:
President Donald Trump, months before he was elected, called the decision to put Tubman on the currency “pure political correctness” and proposed putting her portrait on the $2 bill.
Senator Jeanne Shaheen, D-N.H. released a statement regarding her thoughts on the sudden decision.
“This delay sends an unmistakable message to women and girls, and communities of color, who were promised they’d see Harriet Tubman on the $20 bill.
The needless foot-dragging on this important effort is unacceptable. Our currency tells our country’s story and it is past time to honor the contributions of Harriet Tubman.”