The U.S. House of Representatives on Tuesday passed legislation aimed at dismantling the sophisticated cargo theft rings that industry leaders say cost the trucking sector millions of dollars daily.
The Combating Organized Retail Crime Act (CORCA) would establish a unified federal response to cargo theft. The bill now moves to the Senate.
The American Trucking Associations (ATA), which has led a months-long advocacy campaign for the bill, called the House vote a "pivotal moment" for the supply chain.
“Cargo thieves are stealing $18 million every day from the trucking industry, and motor carriers and consumers pay the price,” ATA President and CEO Chris Spear said in a statement, adding that the crimes are often orchestrated by "highly organized, technologically advanced" transnational criminal groups.
Data from the American Transportation Research Institute (ATRI) suggests the financial toll of these thefts has reached nearly $6.6 billion annually. According to CargoNet, strategic theft—which involves identity theft and fraudulent documentation to divert freight—has surged by 1,500% since 2021.
The issue has evolved beyond simple roadside robbery or cutting locks off trailer doors. Modern theft rings often operate from overseas, using the proceeds to fund drug trafficking and other organized crime.
The transnational aspect of cargo theft also poses a national security threat, according to ATA, which noted noting that 90% of motor carriers are small businesses with 10 or fewer trucks that lack the resources to combat high-tech adversaries.
If signed into law, CORCA would task the Department of Homeland Security with leading a cohesive national response. The bill seeks to improve coordination between federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies while enhancing the legal frameworks used to prosecute cross-border crimes.
"CORCA represents an important step in bringing together industry stakeholders, law enforcement, and the federal government to develop effective solutions against increasingly sophisticated criminal networks, said Truckload Carriers Association President Jim Mullen. "While this is an initial step, we are encouraged by CORCA’s momentum and look forward to building stronger partnerships, enhancing coordination, and creating long-term solutions to better protect supply chains, businesses, and consumers nationwide."
The legislation was introduced by a bipartisan group including Reps. David Joyce, R-Ohio, and Susie Lee, D-Nev. It currently has the support of nearly half of the members in both the House and Senate.
The ATA's Law Enforcement Advisory Board and a coalition of nearly 100 supply chain stakeholders had previously urged congressional leadership to prioritize the bill, citing the increasing strain on the logistics industry.
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