New Bill Mandates Harriet Tubman on $20 Notes Starting After 2030

The "Harriet Tubman Tribute Act of 2025" directs the Secretary of the Treasury to feature Harriet Tubman's likeness on all $20 Federal Reserve notes. This change applies specifically to bills printed after December 31, 2030. The core purpose is to update the visual design of this widely used currency to honor the historical figure.

Timeline and Potential Holdups

While the target date for the new $20 bills is set for the start of 2031, the bill includes a provision for flexibility. The Treasury Secretary has the authority to postpone this change by up to two years. However, this delay isn't automatic; it can only happen if the Secretary determines, after consulting with relevant officials like the Director of the Bureau of Engraving and Printing, that meeting the deadline would pose an "unacceptable risk" of counterfeiting or significantly harm the U.S. economy. If a delay is deemed necessary, the Secretary must report the reasons to Congress, adding a layer of accountability to the process. So, while the plan is for Tubman's image to appear on newly printed twenties after 2030, there's a built-in mechanism that could push the rollout to as late as 2033 under specific, documented circumstances.