Jeanne Shaheen to Treasury: Quit ‘stalling’ on Harriet Tubman $20

A bipartisan trio says it’s say they’re worried the Trump administration is “stalling” plans to honor abolitionist Harriet Tubman on a redesign of the $20 bill.

Sen. Jeanne Shaheen of New Hampshire told Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin on Tuesday it was thrilling to see the Obama administration roll out plans to honor a female hero who escaped slavery and led others to freedom.

The plan was to replace President Andrew Jackson’s likeness on the $20 with Tubman’s by 2020, though the current administration has been vague about carrying it out.

“We are very concerned that the administration is stalling this historic effort. We urge the administration to follow through and expedite the redesign of the 20,” Ms. Shaheen wrote in a joint letter with Reps. Elijah Cummings, Maryland Democrat, and John Katko, New York Republican.

Mr. Trump has expressed fondness for Jackson, however, and suggested removing him from the bill would amount to political correctness.

The lawmakers on Tuesday said if the Treasury doesn’t get moving, Congress should demand the change through legislation.

Ms. Shaheen wrote a bill that calls for honoring Tubman on the $20 in a “timely fashion.”

“Harriet Tubman’s fight for equality and freedom embodies the American spirit and she deserves to be featured beside our founding fathers,” the Democrats wrote. “Our currency should finally reflect the important role women, and women of color, have played in our nation’s history.”