2016-06-27 Mon

An amendment to prevent Harriet Tubman, to appear on the new $20 bill was introduced by U.S. Rep. Steve King. But the proposal was not considered by the House Rules Committee on Tuesday as they would have to bear extra cost for redesigning. In the late 19th Century, Martha Washington's portrait was on a $1 bill. Pocahontas was featured on a 2$ note from 1865 to 1869. Tubman would be the first woman on the $20 bill since Martha Washington’s appearance on a US note.

Harriet Tubman was born to a slave’s family in 1822 who later managed to escape. She initiated the Underground Railroad plan to rescue black people. She also served as a Union Army scout and spy during the Civil War.

Steve King stated that it is "racist" and "sexist" to have a woman or a person of certain colour on currency. A spokeswoman for King revealed that a statement about the amendment was supposed to be issued which did not, till the end of the day.

The current bill design features the seventh U.S. president, Andrew Jackson who owned many slaves on a Tennessee plantation during the colonial rule. He was a military commander during the War of 1812, a lawyer, and served in Congress. He signed the Indian Removal Act, which led to the removal of some tribes.

Jackson would remain on the back of the $20 bill with the White House.