Retail Priorities Gain Momentum on Capitol Hill

Just before Independence Day, the legislative process on both sides of Capitol Hill appeared as congested as the Beltway at peak rush hour. Major legislative priorities were stalled, and pathways for action seemed increasingly narrow. Now, there are signs that the gridlock may be easing.

The good news is that meaningful progress is being made on several RILA priorities.

An annual spending bill that directs the budget, spending priorities, and policies of the Department of Defense (DOD) will serve as the legislative vehicle for the Combatting Organized Retail Crime Act (CORCA). CORCA strengthens law enforcement’s ability to combat organized retail and supply chain crime by expanding criminal forfeiture and money laundering authorities and enabling prosecution of criminal groups operating across state and international borders.

Just last week, after significant work, RILA, alongside a multi-industry coalition spanning retail, trucking, and rail, successfully secured an amendment containing CORCA that was added to the 2027 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). This must-pass legislation is one of the few vehicles that could see action in the Senate this year and provides a strong opportunity to advance CORCA, which received overwhelming bipartisan support earlier this spring in the U.S. House.

Momentum is also building behind the Common Cents Act. Since the U.S. Mint ended production of the penny in 2025, businesses that accept cash have had to navigate transactions in an environment where exact change is often impossible to provide. In response, states have adopted a confusing patchwork of cash-rounding laws and guidance. In partnership with retailers, Congress introduced the bipartisan, bicameral Common Cents Act to establish federal cash-rounding rules designed to deliver much-needed legal certainty for businesses. The U.S. House is scheduled to vote on the legislation as soon as this week.

For retailers operating in multiple states, a patchwork of rounding rules creates significant compliance and operational challenges, requiring different point-of-sale systems, employee training, signage, receipt disclosures, and customer-service procedures across locations. This legislation establishes federal guidelines and a legal safe harbor for businesses to round cash transactions to the nearest nickel, solving these problems more effectively than a patchwork of state laws. Passage in the House would mark a significant milestone, demonstrate bipartisan consensus, and reinforce the broad support for the legislation as it advances to the Senate for consideration.

While these developments are encouraging, experience has taught us that progress in Washington can never be taken for granted. With tight margins in the House and Senate, every vote counts. Even legislation with broad bipartisan support can be delayed by unrelated policy debates, procedural hurdles, or the realities of a crowded congressional calendar. With just 24-28 legislative days remaining in each chamber before the midterm elections and roughly 50 legislative days left in the year, timing will be as important as support.

RILA’s retail members have been invaluable partners in these efforts, and we will continue to monitor the legislative landscape and advocate consistently for practical, real-world solutions that affect the retail industry, the customers you serve, and the communities in which you invest every day.

How can retailers keep building momentum for action?  Please keep telling your story. Whether through advocacy alerts, meetings with policymakers, facility visits, or direct outreach, your firsthand gives lawmakers an up-close and personal look at the real-world impact of these issues. Continued retail engagement will be critical as Congress considers these measures in the months ahead.

Yes, the road ahead remains challenging, and progress in policymaking is rarely linear. But recent developments demonstrate that sustained advocacy and engagement can produce meaningful results. RILA will continue building on this progress to deliver meaningful policy wins for America’s retailers.

Log in to read the rest of our weekly newsletter as a benefit provided to RILA members.