Hawkeye Reporter

Support is increasing for the Combating Organized Retail Crime Act (CORCA), a bipartisan bill introduced by Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) and Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev). The legislation aims to create a coordinated, multi-agency response to organized retail crime, enhancing cooperation between the retail industry and law enforcement. CORCA would also improve reporting processes, provide new investigative tools, and support efforts to recover stolen goods.

The bill currently has 26 bipartisan Senate cosponsors and endorsements from 38 state attorneys general. It has received backing from advocacy groups such as the National Retail Federation, major law enforcement organizations, and more than 260 affected businesses. In the House of Representatives, companion legislation is being led by Reps. David Joyce (R-Ohio) and Susie Lee (D-Nev.).

The National Retail Federation and its coalition stated: “We respectfully urge Congress to advance and pass the Combating Organized Retail Crime Act of 2025 without delay. This bipartisan, commonsense legislation is essential to modernizing our national response to organized retail crime, which threatens not only public safety but also the health and security of America’s supply chains and consumer access to goods. By strengthening coordination, enforcement and prevention, CORCA will help protect American businesses, workers and families. The time to act is now.”

The National Association of Attorneys General expressed similar support: “As Attorneys General of Connecticut, Georgia, Illinois and South Carolina, we are joined by the 34 Attorneys General of the undersigned states to encourage action during the 119th Congress to support our efforts to combat the nationwide organized retail crime epidemic… CORCA would provide the necessary resources at the state and federal level to bring the organizations and individuals behind this nationwide problem to justice.”

The National Police Association said: “The [National Police Association] extends its gratitude to Sen. Grassley and Rep. Joyce for introducing the Combating Organized Retail Crime Act, a federal bill that would allow the private sector and law enforcement partners at all levels to work in tandem to fight these crime syndicates. The government’s priority is to provide for the safety and welfare of its citizens, and this bill goes a long way in accomplishing this.”

Industry representatives have also voiced their concerns about rising incidents of cargo theft affecting trucking companies across several states. Brenda Neville of the Iowa Motor Truck Association noted that cargo theft endangers both freight security and worker safety in Iowa's trucking industry.

Matt Hart from the Illinois Trucking Association highlighted that Illinois ranks among the top three states nationally for cargo theft occurrences.

Eric Sauer from California's Trucking Association pointed out that California faces acute impacts from these crimes.

Railroad operators are also experiencing increased losses; according to statements from industry groups like the Association of American Railroads, there was a significant increase in cargo theft targeting railways last year.

Retail leaders have linked proceeds from organized retail theft rings not only with direct financial loss but also with larger criminal enterprises including human trafficking, narcotics trade, gun smuggling, and terrorism.

Representatives from national retailers such as The Home Depot emphasized that CORCA would facilitate better information sharing between local authorities and federal agencies through an Organized Retail Crime Coordination Center.

Other business leaders called for swift passage of CORCA as a means to address growing threats against supply chains nationwide.