Rep. Wesley Bell, Urban League Bring Gift Cards to TSA Workers at Lambert Amid Partial Government Shutdown

Congressman Wesley Bell joined the Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis (St. Louis, MO) at Lambert Airport Saturday morning (March 28th) to distribute gift cards to TSA workers who have been struggling financially during the partial government shutdown.

The Urban League provided $50,000 worth of gift cards for groceries, toiletries and gas to workers who have gone without pay. Michael P. McMillan, President and CEO of the Urban League, said the organization used the workers' union as a conduit to get resources directly to employees.

"We are supporting our TSA agents with a $50,000 contribution of Schnucks gift cards for groceries, of course, and toiletries and other resources. And then gas cards because of course they have not been paid," McMillan said.

Dennis Blockton, treasurer of AFGE Local 912, said the impact on his members has been severe.

"You've had individuals that have had to donate blood to make ends meet. You've had individuals that simply could not show up to work due to gas money," Blockton said. "It's also created a severe mental toll on people for the simple fact that they just simply don't know what's coming up next."

Bell said he reached out to the Urban League and other community partners after meeting with union leadership and hearing firsthand about workers' struggles.

"These are not rich folks. These are working class people," Bell said. "We wanted to figure out some way to help them make ends meet."

Bell also said he is co-sponsoring legislation to ensure TSA agents and other federal workers continue to receive pay during future shutdowns.

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