Ohio Democrat Joyce Beatty interrupted Wednesday’s hearing for over two minutes after Treasury Secretary Scott Bescent indicated his staff would follow up regarding her inquiries about putting abolitionist Harriet Tubman on the $20 bill.
In 2016, former Treasury Secretary Jack Lew had announced that Tubman would replace President Andrew Jackson on the bill. Although Beatty’s allotted time expired shortly after her questions about Tubman at the House Financial Services Committee hearing, she refused to proceed without further answers.
“What is the current status of this project?” Beatty pressed.
“Madam, I can’t provide that now, but my staff will get back to you,” Bescent responded.
Beatty, however, was not satisfied with his reply. “No, I need you to come back because it seems like there’s an issue affecting people of color and those in poverty, whether it’s about Social Security or other matters,” she insisted.
Despite repeated requests from Chairman Steil for her to conclude, Beatty maintained her stance. “I’m not going to give in,” she declared. “I won’t stop until you instruct him to answer me as a member of Congress… I will not be silent until you direct him—”
Steil asked if she was suggesting a “congressional investigation,” but Beatty insisted she had already done that. “As a member of the U.S. Congress talking to the secretary, I’m asking this hostile witness to respond to my inquiries. My staff didn’t ask him— I did,” she stated.
Steil replied that this situation did not warrant a “congressional investigation.” However, Beatty continued to interrupt proceedings, claiming a “point of privilege,” and asserting that she wouldn’t relent. Steil informed her that her “point of privilege” wasn’t valid and instructed her to cease her interruptions as he aimed to conclude the meeting.
In the past, President Donald Trump expressed his opposition to efforts to replace Jackson with Tubman on the $20 bill. “Andrew Jackson had a great history. It seems rough to remove someone from the bill,” Trump remarked in April 2016. He also mentioned, “I think Harriet Tubman is great, but maybe we could create another bill for her instead of replacing Jackson.”
