Rep. David Valadao (R–Hanford) is teaming up on a bipartisan bill to combat supply chain theft and retail crime.
Valadao and Representatives Dave Joyce, Susie Lee, Dina Titus, Brad Schneider, Laurel Lee, Lou Correa and Michael Baumgartner introduced the Combatting Organized Retail Crime (CORCA) Act.
The big picture: The CORCA Act would allow criminal forfeitures for interstate shipment, transportation of stolen goods or sale of stolen goods convictions.
- It would expand money laundering statutes and allow for the prosecution of organized retail and supply chain groups using interstate or foreign commerce to facilitate crimes.
- The CORCA Act would also create the Organized Retail and Supply Chain Crime Coordination Center within Homeland Security Investigations and the Department of Homeland Security.
Why it matters: The National Retail Federation reports that retail larceny has increased by 93% from 2019 to 2023.
- Stores also lost $121.6 billion to retail in 2023.
- Along with retail theft, CargoNet reported a 27% increase in cargo theft from 2023 to 2025, which includes large-scale theft from containers to cybercriminal methods to divert shipments to illicit receivers.
What they’re saying: Valadao said organized retail crime and supply chain theft are hitting families and businesses throughout the Central Valley.
- “These crimes are largely run by sophisticated criminal networks that endanger public safety and drive-up costs for consumers,” Valadao said. “In the 118th Congress, I introduced the Safeguarding our Supply Chains Act to fight back against cargo theft, and I’m happy to see some of that language included in this bill. 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.”
- Scott Glenn, The Home Depot Vice President of Asset Protection, applauded Valadao for tackling organized retail crime.
- “This legislation will help stop dangerous criminals from stealing in our stores,” Glenn said.
- Megan Noland, the Executive Director of the Major County Sheriffs of America, said her organization strongly supports the bill.
- “With provisions to strengthen penalties and the creation of a dedicated center for coordination and information sharing, this legislation is a vital step toward supporting law enforcement in our fight against organized crime,” Noland said. “We look forward to working together to advance this important legislation during this Congress.”
- Association of American Railroads President and CEO Ian Jefferies said organized criminal operations continue to evolve and escalate their targeted attacks against the supply chain and retailers.
- “This alarming trend affects every industry – including the nation’s largest railroads, which experienced a 40% spike in cargo theft last year,” Jefferies said. “Rep. Valadao’s long-term leadership on developing a unified, federal response has been pivotal in shaping the legislation introduced today. CORCA’s economy-wide strategic framework will go a long way in disrupting these criminal networks and safeguarding our supply chain.”
