Treasury Dropped Plan for Harriet Tubman $20 Bill

The U.S. Treasury confirmed that the $20 bill will not feature Harriet Tubman as previously proposed.

Updated on Oct. 9, 2026 in Retirement Planning

Treasury Dropped Plan for Harriet Tubman $20 Bill

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Should the U.S. update its currency to feature historical figures who better represent modern values?

In July 2026, the U.S. Treasury Department officially ended the initiative to place Harriet Tubman on the $20 bill. Andrew Jackson will remain the featured figure on the currency as the department moves toward a scheduled redesign.

Why it matters

The decision preserves the current appearance of the $20 bill while ending a design proposal that originated in 2016. This update concludes a decade of uncertainty regarding the potential imagery on the most commonly circulated bank note.

The plan to feature Harriet Tubman on the $20 bill was formally abandoned by the Treasury Department in July 2026, ending a proposal that began in 2016. A new design for the $20 note is now projected to debut in 2030.

The players

Scott Bessent

The Treasury Secretary who confirmed that the department is not proceeding with the Tubman design.

Joyce Beatty

A U.S. Representative who submitted a formal inquiry to the Treasury regarding the status of the $20 bill design.

Andrew Jackson

The seventh President of the United States who remains the featured figure on the $20 bill.

Donald Trump

The current President of the United States who previously opposed the removal of Andrew Jackson from the $20 bill.

The details

The design change was shelved following a formal inquiry by Rep. Joyce Beatty regarding the status of the note. Treasury officials previously cited the necessity of integrating new anti-counterfeiting technology as a primary factor for production delays. Andrew Jackson continues to appear on the note, consistent with the long-standing use of historical figures on U.S. currency permitted under the 1866 Thayer Amendment.

1866: The Thayer Amendment was passed.
2016: The proposal to feature Harriet Tubman on the $20 bill was initiated.
May 2025: Rep. Joyce Beatty requested a formal status update from the Treasury.
July 10, 2026: The Treasury confirmed the cancellation of the Tubman design.
2030: A new $20 bill design is expected to debut.

Money Landscape

The Treasury's decision to maintain the current design of the $20 bill aligns with the regulatory framework established by the 1866 Thayer Amendment. This decision marks a definitive end to the redesign effort that began in 2016.

This policy change confirms that there will be no immediate adjustments to the appearance of the $20 bills held in your household cash reserves or savings. Readers should expect the current version of the note to remain the standard until the projected 2030 redesign.

The takeaway

The U.S. Treasury has officially ended the effort to change the portrait on the $20 bill, meaning Andrew Jackson will remain the featured figure. As the country approaches a new currency redesign in 2030, ensure your financial records are maintained in standard legal tender.