Anti-Cargo Theft Coalition Urges Senate Action on CORCA

The coalition's letter to Schumer and Thune outlined the evolution of cargo theft into sophisticated operations. (Mariam Zuhaib/Associated Press)

WASHINGTON — A coalition of nearly 200 stakeholders, including American Trucking Associations, is urging the Senate to advance the Combating Organized Retail Crime Act, citing a surge in cargo theft tied to multistate criminal networks.

The push follows overwhelming bipartisan passage of the bill in the House in May and adds to a sense of urgency in the Senate to move the measure to the president’s desk for enactment.

In a June 2 letter to Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) and Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), the coalition explained organized retail and supply chain crime has evolved beyond isolated incidents into coordinated operations that outpace current enforcement tools.

The group — which includes the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the Association of American Railroads and the National Retail Federation — warned the crimes are increasing risks for transportation workers. They also are disrupting freight movement across the supply chain, including trucking, rail and distribution centers, particularly ahead of the back-to-school season.

“Retailers, manufacturers, transportation providers and workers across the supply chain continue to experience the real-world consequences of these crimes — from heightened risks to frontline employees and transportation workers to disruptions in the movement of goods — whether by rail or truck, or at distribution centers, that communities rely on, particularly as families prepare for the back-to-school season and depend on reliable access to essential items,” the coalition wrote.

Cargo theft is growing more prevalent and technologically sophisticated, posing broader risks to supply chains. The American Transportation Research Institute estimates such theft costs the trucking industry more than $18 million a day. Industry groups also say some theft operations have transnational links, with proceeds tied to other criminal activity, such as drug trafficking.

The bill, introduced last year by Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) and Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.), seeks to strengthen enforcement tools and coordination among federal, state and local agencies.

The bill would direct the Department of Homeland Security to lead a national response, including establishing an Organized Retail and Supply Chain Crime Coordination Center to align investigations into domestic and transnational criminal networks.

House lawmakers advanced their companion measure last month, clearing it for Senate consideration. Sponsors said their version would bolster federal coordination as a way to address increasingly complex theft operations targeting freight and retail supply chains.

Rep. Dave Joyce (R-Ohio) said organized retail crime continues to impact businesses, workers and consumers nationwide, contributing to higher costs and threats to public safety.

Joyce, a member of the transportation funding subcommittee, said, “Whether you are a business owner, truck driver or the average consumer, these criminal enterprises are hurting your wallet and putting communities in danger.”

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Spear said the measure would provide the industry and law enforcement more resources to fight theft. (American Trucking Associations)

Freight stakeholders praised the bipartisan House vote last month. ATA President Chris Spear said the measure would give the industry and law enforcement additional resources to combat organized cargo theft rings that often operate across borders.

“Cargo thieves are stealing $18 million every day from the trucking industry, and motor carriers and consumers pay the price,” Spear said. “CORCA will give our industry and law enforcement the tools we need to fight back against highly organized, technologically advanced cargo theft rings, which are often orchestrated by transnational criminal groups.”