ATA-Backed Cargo Theft Legislation Advances: Why CORCA Matters for Trucking and the Supply Chain

Cargo theft has quietly become one of the most expensive—and dangerous—threats facing the U.S. supply chain.  This week, the trucking industry reached a critical turning point as the House Judiciary Committee advanced the Combating Organized Retail Crime Act (CORCA), a bipartisan bill backed by the American Trucking Associations (ATA).

The committee’s vote marks more than a procedural win.  It signals growing recognition in Washington that cargo theft is no longer a localized or opportunistic crime—it is a coordinated, transnational operation requiring a unified federal response.

Trucking in the Crosshairs

Trucking moves nearly three-quarters of all U.S. freight, making it an attractive target for organized crime.  According to ATA President and CEO Chris Spear, criminal networks are exploiting the industry’s scale and complexity, stealing millions of dollars’ worth of freight every day while exposing drivers to serious safety risks.

These thefts are not just warehouse break-ins or stolen trailers at rest stops.  Many are sophisticated, multi-state schemes that overwhelm local law enforcement and exploit jurisdictional gaps.  The House Judiciary Committee’s passage of CORCA reflects a growing understanding that cargo theft cannot be effectively addressed without federal coordination.

A High-Tech Crime with High Stakes

Modern cargo theft looks very different than it did even a few years ago.  Increasingly, criminals are using cyber fraud, identity manipulation, and false carrier impersonation to divert loads before anyone realizes a theft has occurred.

The numbers are staggering:

• The American Transportation Research Institute estimates cargo theft costs the trucking industry more than $18 million per day.
• CargoNet reports that strategic theft has surged by 1,500% since 2021.
• Roughly 90% of motor carriers operate 10 trucks or fewer, leaving small businesses especially vulnerable to technologically advanced criminal networks.

Beyond financial losses, the transnational nature of these crimes raises national security concerns.  Stolen goods often fund broader criminal enterprises, including drug trafficking and organized crime, and may even support extremist activities.

What CORCA Would Do

Introduced by a bipartisan and bicameral group of lawmakers—and now cosponsored by nearly half of both chambers—CORCA aims to close the gaps that organized theft rings currently exploit.

If enacted, the legislation would:

• Strengthen legal frameworks for investigating organized retail and cargo theft
• Improve enforcement tools available to federal law enforcement
• Enhance coordination among federal, state, and local agencies
• Assign the Department of Homeland Security to lead a cohesive national response

In short, CORCA is designed to help law enforcement “connect the dots” across jurisdictions and dismantle complex, multi-layered theft operations.

Enforcement Momentum Beyond the Bill

In parallel with CORCA’s advancement, Congress is also moving toward passing an appropriations package that includes ATA-supported language targeting cargo theft enforcement.  Once signed into law—potentially as soon as this week—the package would begin laying the groundwork for a more unified federal approach.

Key provisions would:

• Direct the Department of Justice to brief Congress within 120 days on plans to establish regional cargo theft task forces, led by the FBI and coordinated with Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), TSA, FMCSA, and state and local agencies.
• Require the Executive Office of U.S. Attorneys to identify districts with the highest cargo theft rates and assign additional prosecutors to focus specifically on these crimes.

This combination of legislation and funding could significantly change how cargo theft cases are investigated and prosecuted across the country.

How Shippers and Carriers Are Responding

While federal action is critical, carriers and shippers are also adapting to mitigate evolving threats today.  One example is the high-security shipping services offered by companies like Road Scholar Transport, specializing in theft-sensitive freight protection.

Road Scholar’s high-security shipping includes multiple layers of physical and digital safeguards designed to deter, detect, and respond to theft risks throughout transit:

• Real-time telematics and GPS tracking, ensuring every shipment’s location is monitored around the clock.
• Geofencing and electronic door monitoring, with alerts sent for unauthorized access or route deviation.
• Certified high-security locks such as Navalock and Babaco units that resist conventional tampering.
• Rigorous driver protocols, including comprehensive background checks and continuous training on the latest threat tactics.
• 24/7 operational oversight and dispatch to maintain situational awareness and rapid response.
• Strategic trailer identification and awareness vehicles that add visibility and deterrence.

These practices illustrate how carriers can build proactive defenses even before federal enforcement catches up.

Why This Matters Now

For years, cargo theft has been treated as a cost of doing business—absorbed by carriers, shippers, insurers, and ultimately consumers.  The advancement of CORCA suggests that era may be ending.

As freight networks grow more digital and interconnected, the risk profile of cargo theft continues to evolve.  Federal leadership, coordinated enforcement, and dedicated prosecutorial resources are no longer optional—they are essential to protecting drivers, small carriers, and the integrity of the supply chain.

The House Judiciary Committee’s action represents a pivotal step.  As CORCA heads to the full House, the trucking industry—and its supply chain partners—will be watching closely to see whether this momentum translates into lasting, meaningful protection against one of the industry’s fastest-growing threats.