To the Members of the United States House of Representatives:
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce supports H.R. 2853, the Combatting Organized Retail Crime Act (CORCA). This bipartisan legislation represents a critical step toward addressing surges in retail crime and cargo theft that are putting the nation’s businesses and consumers at risk.
America’s businesses continue to struggle with rising business-focused crimes. Retail crimes like organized shoplifting rings and “smash-and-grabs” have been persistent problems. Crime numbers often fluctuate from year-to-year but the long-term trends are clear, with larcenies involving shoplifting having doubled since the 1970’s according to statistics from the nonprofit Council for Criminal Justice. Retail crime creates higher prices for consumers, results in stores having to close their doors, and leaves communities without vital goods and services. No business should have to close because of crime.
Cargo theft is another rising concern for the business community with a huge impact on the economy. According to a report by the American Trucking Associations, cargo theft costs the American economy up to $35 billion a year, resulting in higher costs throughout the supply chain and ultimately impacting small business shippers and retailers. Increasing cargo theft is eroding confidence in supply chains that are critical to our nation’s businesses.
The Combatting Organized Retail Crime Act focuses on increased coordination in curbing retail crime and cargo theft. Improved coordination is the main pillar in the U.S. Chamber’s call to action to stop retail crime. This bipartisan bill would establish a new Organized Retail and Supply Chain Crime Coordination Center. The Center would align efforts, expertise, and resources across local, state, federal, and private-sector partners, improving information-sharing and enabling more coordinated investigations and prosecutions. CORCA will create a unified, national response building on the more than 30 state laws that have been enacted since 2022.
The U.S. business community stands ready to work with Congress to advance this bipartisan legislation. We urge the House to pass H.R. 2853 when it comes to the floor later this week.
Sincerely,
Neil Bradley
Executive Vice President, Chief Policy Officer, and Head of Strategic Advocacy
U.S. Chamber of Commerce
