U.S. Reps. David Valadao (R-CA), Dave Joyce (R-OH), and Laurel Lee (R-FL) on April 10 unveiled a bipartisan, bicameral bill to tighten federal legal tools on organized interstate and transnational crime.
The Combating Organized Retail Crime (CORCA) Act, H.R. 2853, would combat organized crime involving the illegal acquisition of retail goods and cargo for the purpose of selling those goods through physical and online retail marketplaces, according to the bill’s text.
“Businesses throughout my district are facing the burdens of a rise in organized retail crimes and fraud schemes that are sweeping the nation,” said Rep. Joyce, who sponsored H.R. 2853. “These criminal organizations are not only harming small businesses and retailers in our communities but are also putting American consumers at risk of violence and fraud.
“These crimes also have more widespread consequences for public safety, as these organized groups often resell stolen goods to finance other illicit activities, including drug and human trafficking operations,” added the congressman. “Our bipartisan, bicameral legislation will give law enforcement the tools they need to put a stop to these rampant crimes.”
Among the 19 original cosponsors of H.R. 2853 are Reps. Valadao and Lee, as well as U.S. Reps. Mark Amodei (R-NV), Juan Ciscomani (R-AZ), and Susie Lee (D-NV). The same-named companion bill is led by U.S. Sens. Chuck Grassley (R-IA) and Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV).
“Organized retail crime and supply chain theft are hitting families and small businesses hard … These crimes are largely run by sophisticated criminal networks that endanger public safety and drive up costs for consumers,” said Rep. Valadao. “The CORCA Act gives law enforcement the tools they need to hold criminals accountable, and I’m proud to work with my colleagues to get this across the finish line.”
According to the National Retail Federation, retail larceny incidents increased by 93 percent from 2019 to 2023, and stores lost $121.6 billion to retail theft in 2023. At the same time, CargoNet reported a 27 percent increase in cargo theft incidents in 2024 over 2023.
If enacted, the CORCA Act would bolster legal tools for law enforcement by allowing criminal forfeitures for interstate shipment, transportation of stolen goods, or sale of stolen goods convictions and expand money laundering statutes.
Additionally, the bill would enable the prosecution of organized retail and supply chain groups using interstate or foreign commerce to facilitate crimes and mandate the creation of the Organized Retail and Supply Chain Crime Coordination Center within Homeland Security Investigations and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, according to a bill summary provided by the lawmakers.
“The rise in sophisticated criminal activities targeting retail stores and the broader supply chain has become a critical threat to our national economy, consumer safety, and public security,” said Rep. Lee. “We must equip law enforcement with the necessary resources and tools to combat these criminals on a federal level, as they operate across state lines and international borders.”
The measure is supported by Home Depot, the Major County Sheriffs of America, the Intermodal Association of North America, the Association of American Railroads, UPS, the American Trucking Associations, the Retail Industry Leaders Association, and the Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association, among many other organizations and companies.