House Passes Bipartisan CORCA Act to Fight Retail Theft Surge

The CORCA Act was introduced by Congressman David Valadao and a coalition of representatives from Ohio, Nevada, Illinois, Florida, California, and Washington. It builds on earlier supply‑chain security proposals and seeks to give federal agencies new powers to dismantle organized theft rings that operate across state lines.

Congressman Valadao said organized retail crime and cargo theft are hurting small businesses and families in the Central Valley. According to the National Retail Federation, retail larceny incidents jumped 93% between 2019 and 2023. The legislation would allow criminal forfeitures for interstate shipment of stolen goods, expand money‑laundering statutes, enable prosecution of groups using interstate or foreign commerce, and mandate a new Organized Retail and Supply Chain Crime Coordination Center within Homeland Security Investigations.

Supporters argue the bill equips prosecutors with better tools to target sophisticated criminal networks that resell stolen goods online and in physical markets. Critics have not yet voiced major opposition, but the measure’s effectiveness will depend on implementation and funding. Lawmakers will monitor the bill’s progress in the Senate and watch for any impact on retail theft trends over the next year.