CORCA Advances Out of the House as Senate Path Comes into Focus

The House’s overwhelming bipartisan passage of the Combating Organized Retail Crime Act (CORCA) underscores growing recognition that organized retail and supply chain crime requires a coordinated federal response. As the bill moves to the Senate, RILA’s attention now turns to how we can advance in a chamber with a packed legislative calendar and limited time for standalone floor consideration. 

A Crowded Senate Landscape 

In the Senate, floor time is at a premium. Between appropriations, nominations, and other priorities, only a small number of bills receive dedicated consideration. As a result, broadly supported measures like CORCA often move as part of larger legislative packages rather than on their own. 

Several potential pathways could emerge in the months ahead and RILA is leading advocacy efforts to ensure we are ready to take advantage of the most feasible option. The National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which reliably moves each year, has historically served as a vehicle for bipartisan provisions with national and economic security implications. A broader White House-led crime or public safety package—an idea that has been discussed in various forms—could also provide an avenue, particularly given the administration’s focus on retail theft and supply chain disruptions. Finally, an end-of-year legislative package remains a likely scenario, as Congress often consolidates priorities into a final vehicle before adjournment. RILA is leading lobbying efforts to ensure that bipartisan support is in-place to move CORCA on any of these legislative vehicles when the opportunity presents itself.  

Parallel Momentum on Cargo Theft 

At the same time, congressional activity beyond CORCA continues to build the case for federal action on cargo theft and freight fraud. 

The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee has released draft language for a five-year surface transportation reauthorization covering highways, transit systems, and other nationwide infrastructure. While the timeline for full reauthorization remains uncertain—particularly as the Senate has yet to advance comparable legislation and the current authorization expires on September 30—the draft underscores growing bipartisan interest in supply chain security. 

Notably, the House proposal includes targeted provisions that directly address cargo theft:

Advisory Committee on Cargo Theft and Freight Fraud (Sec. 7109)

The legislation would direct the Department of Transportation to establish an advisory committee within 90 days of enactment, bringing together federal, state, and local law enforcement alongside carriers, brokers, logistics providers, cybersecurity professionals, and other stakeholders. 

The committee is tasked with examining the full scope of cargo theft, including: 

• Full-load theft, pilferage, and fraud schemes such as impersonation and double brokering
• Key geographic and operational vulnerabilities across the supply chain
• Financial impacts, including downstream costs to consumers and insurance pressures
• Cross-jurisdictional enforcement challenges
• Both physical and cybersecurity tools used to prevent theft

The committee would report to Congress within one year and biennially thereafter, creating an ongoing mechanism to assess trends and recommend policy solutions.

Rail Technology and Asset Pilot Program (Sec. 10408)

The draft also establishes a competitive grant program to support investments in rail technology designed to improve safety, efficiency, and cargo security. Eligible projects include deployment of telematics systems, gateway devices, sensor-based inspection tools, and communications technology for rail crews. 

Reducing cargo theft is explicitly named as a goal of the program, alongside broader safety and operational improvements. The structure prioritizes modernization of freight railcars—particularly those carrying hazardous materials—and requires detailed reporting on outcomes, including effectiveness in preventing theft and improving network performance. 

What It Means for CORCA

These provisions reflect a broader shift: cargo theft is no longer being treated as a niche issue, but as a core component of supply chain resilience and economic security. That shift strengthens the policy foundation for CORCA and reinforces the urgency behind its Senate consideration. 

Even if CORCA ultimately moves as part of a larger package, the underlying issue it addresses is already gaining traction across multiple committees and legislative efforts. The alignment between standalone legislation and broader infrastructure policy suggests continued momentum, regardless of the specific vehicle. 

Looking Ahead

With strong bipartisan support secured in the House, CORCA enters the Senate with meaningful momentum. The path forward will depend less on policy differences than on legislative timing and strategy. 

As Congress navigates a compressed calendar, potential vehicles—from NDAA to broader public safety initiatives to a year-end package—will shape how and when the bill advances. In parallel, continued activity on cargo theft across committees signals that the issue will remain front and center, increasing the likelihood that federal action—whether through CORCA or related provisions—moves forward in the near term. 

Passing CORCA is a crucial element to RILA’s holistic approach to addressing organized retail crime. Over the past six years, RILA has been at the forefront of addressing ORC by advocating for stronger legislative solutions in Congress and at the state level, fostering collaboration between retailers and law enforcement through our store-walks initiative, leading the fight against gift card fraud and raising public awareness about the impacts of these crimes.  

We understand that this is a complex and sophisticated problem that requires a multifaceted response. And are committed to finding solutions that deliver tangible results for retailers and the communities they serve. CORCA is an important part of this strategy, and we are optimistic we can see it make its way through the Senate and to the president’s desk this year.