Woman on the Twenty Act of 2025

Bill Number: H.R. 1976
Origin Chamber: House
Congress: 119th Congress, Session 1
Policy Area: Finance and Financial Sector
Status: Introduced
Latest Action: 2025-03-10: Referred to the House Committee on Financial Services.
Last Updated: 2026-07-01T08:09:08Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose

The "Woman on the Twenty Act of 2025" (H.R. 1976) aims to mandate the inclusion of a portrait of Harriet Tubman, an abolitionist and key figure in the Underground Railroad who helped enslaved people escape to freedom, on the front of all new U.S. $20 Federal Reserve notes. This legislation seeks to honor women's contributions to American history by updating the design of U.S. currency, building on a 2016 announcement by the Treasury Department.

Key Provisions

Short Title: The bill is titled the "Woman on the Twenty Act of 2025."
Findings: The legislation includes a series of factual statements providing historical context about U.S. paper money, including:
The establishment of the dollar as the U.S. monetary unit in 1875 and the role of the Bureau of Engraving and Printing since 1877.
The creation of Federal Reserve notes under the Federal Reserve Act of 1913.
Current portraits on circulating notes (e.g., George Washington on the $1, Andrew Jackson on the $20) and discontinued higher denominations.
The absence of any woman on U.S. paper currency since its inception.
A 2015 announcement to feature a woman on the $10 note, followed by a 2016 decision to place Harriet Tubman on the $20 note instead, with additional design elements for other denominations celebrating women's suffrage and civil rights figures.
Design Requirement: Amends Section 5114(b) of Title 31, United States Code (which governs the design and printing of U.S. currency), to prohibit printing any $20 note after December 31, 2028, without prominently featuring Harriet Tubman's portrait on the front.
Preliminary Design Release: Requires the Secretary of the Treasury to publicly release a preliminary design of the updated $20 note by December 31, 2026.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

This bill introduces a specific mandate into existing federal law (31 U.S.C. § 5114(b)), which previously allowed the Secretary of the Treasury broad discretion in selecting currency designs with input from the Bureau of Engraving and Printing.
It shifts from voluntary announcements (like the 2016 plan) to a binding legal requirement, ensuring the change occurs by a set deadline rather than relying on administrative decisions that could be delayed or altered.

Potential Impacts

Government Agencies: The Department of the Treasury and Bureau of Engraving and Printing will need to redesign, test, and produce new $20 notes, potentially involving costs for printing equipment updates and public outreach. The Federal Reserve System may face logistical adjustments in circulating the new notes.
Citizens: U.S. residents will see increased representation of women and African American history on everyday currency, which could foster greater awareness of figures like Tubman. It may also affect collectors or those using cash, as old $20 notes remain legal tender but new ones phase in.
International Relations: Minimal direct impact, though the change could enhance the U.S. image abroad as a symbol of inclusivity and progress on gender and racial equality in national symbols.

Main Stakeholders Affected

Federal Government Entities: Department of the Treasury (including the Secretary and Bureau of Engraving and Printing) and the Federal Reserve System, responsible for design, production, and distribution.
Advocacy Groups and Public: Women's rights organizations, civil rights advocates, historians, and the general public, particularly those who supported the 2016 announcement; they benefit from symbolic recognition.
Currency Users: Banks, businesses, and everyday consumers who handle $20 bills, with indirect effects on accessibility and familiarity during the transition.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

Legal: The amendment is straightforward and within Congress's constitutional authority under Article I, Section 8 to regulate currency. It does not infringe on free speech or other rights, as currency design is a government function. No challenges are anticipated, given the non-controversial nature of honoring historical figures.
Constitutional: Aligns with the government's power to "coin Money" and regulate its value, promoting national unity through inclusive symbolism without altering monetary policy.
Political: Reinforces efforts toward diversity in public honors, potentially bridging partisan lines by fulfilling a prior bipartisan-supported initiative. It may spark discussions on further currency updates (e.g., removing controversial figures like Andrew Jackson) but avoids mandating broader redesigns.

This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.

Sponsor

Rep. Beatty, Joyce [D-OH-3]

Cosponsors (38)

Rep. Adams, Alma S. [D-NC-12], Rep. Brown, Shontel M. [D-OH-11], Rep. Carson, André [D-IN-7], Rep. Carter, Troy A. [D-LA-2], Rep. Casten, Sean [D-IL-6], Rep. Cherfilus-McCormick, Sheila [D-FL-20], Rep. Clarke, Yvette D. [D-NY-9], Rep. Cleaver, Emanuel [D-MO-5], Rep. Davis, Danny K. [D-IL-7], Rep. Dingell, Debbie [D-MI-6], Rep. Espaillat, Adriano [D-NY-13], Rep. Evans, Dwight [D-PA-3], Rep. Foushee, Valerie P. [D-NC-4], Rep. Green, Al [D-TX-9], Rep. Grijalva, Raúl M. [D-AZ-7], Rep. Hayes, Jahana [D-CT-5], Rep. Jackson, Jonathan L. [D-IL-1], Rep. Johnson, Henry C. "Hank" [D-GA-4], Rep. Kamlager-Dove, Sydney [D-CA-37], Rep. Kelly, Robin L. [D-IL-2], Rep. Lynch, Stephen F. [D-MA-8], Rep. McIver, LaMonica [D-NJ-10], Rep. Meeks, Gregory W. [D-NY-5], Rep. Mfume, Kweisi [D-MD-7], Rep. Neguse, Joe [D-CO-2], Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large], Rep. Omar, Ilhan [D-MN-5], Rep. Sewell, Terri A. [D-AL-7], Rep. Thompson, Bennie G. [D-MS-2], Rep. Tlaib, Rashida [D-MI-12], Rep. Torres, Ritchie [D-NY-15], Rep. Underwood, Lauren [D-IL-14], Rep. Veasey, Marc A. [D-TX-33], Rep. Velázquez, Nydia M. [D-NY-7], Rep. Watson Coleman, Bonnie [D-NJ-12], Rep. Williams, Nikema [D-GA-5], Rep. Wilson, Frederica S. [D-FL-24], Rep. Ross, Deborah K. [D-NC-2]

Recent Actions

2025-03-10: Referred to the House Committee on Financial Services.
2025-03-10: Introduced in House
2025-03-10: Introduced in House

Bill Versions

Woman on the Twenty Act of 2025 — issued 2025-03-10 — PDF (4 pages)