NEWS | Congress Advances CORCA to Combat Organized Retail Crime and Supply Chain Theft, protect Small Business

NSBA is pleased to the CORCA Act advance with its endorsement, and we continue urging Congress to act to protect small businesses in these increasingly difficult economic times.

MAY 18, 2026 | Last week, the U.S. House of Representatives overwhelmingly passed bipartisan legislation aimed at cracking down on organized retail crime, cargo theft, and sophisticated criminal networks that continue to impact businesses nationwide.

Lawmakers approved H.R. 2853, the Combating Organized Retail Crime Act (CORCA), by a bipartisan vote of 348-60, advancing one of the business community’s top public safety and supply chain priorities to the Senate for consideration.

The legislation would strengthen federal coordination and enforcement tools designed to combat organized theft rings that target retailers, warehouses, freight systems, and supply chains across multiple states.

Supporters say the legislation reflects the growing sophistication of organized theft operations, which increasingly involve interstate criminal enterprises, online resale marketplaces, cargo diversion schemes, and coordinated retail theft.

Under CORCA, the federal government would:

• Expand criminal enforcement tools related to organized retail and cargo theft

• Strengthen money laundering statutes tied to stolen goods operations

• Allow additional criminal forfeitures involving interstate theft and transportation of stolen goods

• Create a new Organized Retail and Supply Chain Crime Coordination Center within the Department of Homeland Security’s Homeland Security Investigations division

The legislation also seeks to improve coordination among federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies as well as private-sector stakeholders.

While large national retailers have been among the most visible advocates for CORCA, supporters argue the impact of organized theft falls heavily on small businesses as well.

RELATED | NSBA Endorses CORCA Act

Small firms often lack the resources, security infrastructure, legal teams, and loss-prevention capabilities available to larger companies. Organized theft can result in higher insurance costs, inventory losses, supply chain disruptions, employee safety concerns, and rising prices that are especially difficult for small businesses to absorb.

Industry groups supporting the legislation point to growing evidence that organized retail crime has evolved far beyond isolated shoplifting incidents. According to supporters of the bill, criminal networks increasingly use sophisticated methods to move stolen goods across state lines and resell products through online marketplaces.

The legislation also addresses cargo theft, which is an issue with significant downstream effects for manufacturers, distributors, retailers, and small-business suppliers.

CORCA has drawn support from a broad coalition of retail, transportation, manufacturing, and business organizations.

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce called the legislation “a critical step” toward addressing surges in retail crime and cargo theft impacting businesses and consumers nationwide.

Meanwhile, the National Retail Federation said the bill would strengthen efforts to investigate and disrupt sophisticated criminal operations targeting retailers and supply chains.

Transportation and supply chain organizations have also backed the measure, citing rising cargo theft incidents and growing concerns over organized criminal activity affecting interstate commerce.

With House passage complete, the legislation now heads to the Senate, where supporters are expected to push for swift consideration.

Advocates argue that stronger federal coordination is necessary as organized retail crime continues to expand across jurisdictions and increasingly affects businesses of all sizes.

NSBA will continue monitoring developments related to CORCA and broader efforts to address crime, supply chain security, and small-business operating costs.