Treasury Announcement Adding American Women to U.S. Currency Is Welcome News

Statement

Congressman Steny H. Hoyer (MD-5) released the following statement today after United States Treasury Secretary Jack Lew announced the addition of American women to U.S. currency:

"Today's announcement by Treasury Secretary Jack Lew of the addition of notable American women to U.S. currency bills is welcome news. For too long, women have been absent from our paper currency, in spite of incalculable contributions by women to our country. I am pleased that Maryland native and abolition hero Harriet Tubman will become the new face of the $20 bill. It is also fitting that the leaders of the women's suffrage movement will join Alexander Hamilton on the $10 bill and that women who were instrumental in standing up for civil rights will join Abraham Lincoln on the $5 bill.

"What all the women whose portraits will be displayed on our bills held in common was the belief that all people - regardless of gender, race, or creed - ought to have an equal opportunity to get ahead and secure the blessings our country offers. We must continue the work to enshrine the principle of equal pay for equal work in our laws, as the Paycheck Fairness Act would do, and I am proud to cosponsor that legislation. I hope Republicans will work with Democrats in Congress to advance this legislation and make sure that women are not only on our money but earning it equally too."

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