Representative Steven King of Iowa recently filed an amendment that will block the U.S. Treasury Department from putting Harriet Tubman on the $20 dollar bill. Rep. King’s proposed amendment would prohibit the U.S. Treasury from redesigning currency to showcase the former slave and abolitionist.
In April, the Treasury Department announced that it would replace Andrew Jackson’s image with Harriet Tubman’s and move him to the back of the $20 bill.
On Tuesday night, the Rules Committee denied floor consideration of the proposal.
This means no House vote on the recommendation. Rep. King who is also a birther, says that his proposition isn’t about Tubman at all.
“It’s not about Harriet Tubman, it’s about keeping the picture on the $20,” King said Tuesday. He pulled out a $20 bill and said,”Y’know? Why would you want to change that? I am a conservative, I like to keep what we have.”
King went on to claim that it is “racist” and “sexist” to say a woman or person of color should be added to currency. He also accused President Obama of trying to divide the country with this act.
“Here’s what’s really happening: This is liberal activism on the part of the president that’s trying to identify people by categories, and he’s divided us on the lines of groups. … This is a divisive proposal on the part of the president, and mine’s unifying. It says just don’t change anything.”
President Obama sent a stronger message.
Rep. Steve King wants to block Harriet Tubman from being on $20 – @POTUS may have some words for him…https://t.co/JL6WzgZT9O
— Fusion (@Fusion) June 22, 2016
