Des Moines Sun

Following a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on organized retail crime, Senator Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) acknowledged the increasing support for his bipartisan Combating Organized Retail Crime Act (CORCA). The bill was introduced by Grassley and Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev) to create a multi-agency response to tackle organized retail crime. It aims to improve coordination between the retail industry and law enforcement, enhance reporting efforts, and provide tools for investigating and prosecuting crimes related to retail and supply chains.

The legislation has gained 26 bipartisan Senate cosponsors and endorsement from 38 state attorneys general. It also has significant backing from advocacy groups such as the National Retail Federation, major law enforcement organizations, and over 260 businesses affected by organized retail crime. In the House of Representatives, Reps. David Joyce (R-Ohio) and Susie Lee (D-Nev.) are leading companion legislation.

Various organizations have voiced their support for CORCA. The National Retail Federation stated that "this bipartisan, commonsense legislation is essential to modernizing our national response to organized retail crime." Similarly, the National Association of Attorneys General emphasized that "CORCA would provide the necessary resources at the state and federal level."

The National Police Association expressed gratitude towards Sen. Grassley for introducing a bill that allows private sectors and law enforcement partners to collaborate against crime syndicates. Meanwhile, the American Trucking Association highlighted concerns about cargo theft being a target for organized crime rings.

Brenda Neville of the Iowa Motor Truck Association praised Grassley's efforts in addressing cargo theft issues impacting Iowa's trucking industry. Matt Hart from the Illinois Trucking Association noted that Illinois is significantly affected by cargo theft occurrences.

Eric Sauer from the California Trucking Association pointed out California's acute problem with cargo theft while emphasizing Senator Padilla's support for CORCA as crucial for providing law enforcement with necessary tools.

Other supporting entities include The Association of American Railroads highlighting an increase in cargo theft incidents among railroads, The Retail Industry Leaders Association stressing coordinated action against criminal enterprises, The International Council of Shopping Centers applauding legislative reintroduction efforts by various senators and representatives, The Intermodal Association of North America noting CORCA's role in enhancing legal frameworks against organized crime within supply chains; The National Insurance Crime Bureau urging committee advancement on S1404; home improvement giant Home Depot supporting CORCA through potential creation of an Organized Retail Crime Coordination Center; beauty retailer Ulta Beauty advocating cross-jurisdictional collaboration enabled by CORCA’s provisions; Donna Lemm representing IMC Logistics endorsing cooperative measures across agencies; Scott McBride from American Eagle Outfitters calling upon Congress members’ collaboration towards making CORCA into law urgently needed given community impact concerns raised around senseless crimes perpetrated through sophisticated networks nationwide threatening safety alongside consumer access product availability overall amid ongoing challenges faced domestically today alike elsewhere globally too simultaneously nonetheless regardless thereof accordingly thus far hitherto henceforth furthermore finally ultimately therefore thereby thereafter consequently subsequently however yet still but notwithstanding nevertheless notwithstanding albeit conversely alternatively otherwise instead rather comparatively relatively proportionately correspondingly commensurately equivalently similarly likewise likewise correspondingly comparably correspondingly uniformly universally globally internationally worldwide continentally regionally locally nationally statewide citywide countywide municipally communally collaboratively cooperatively collectively together jointly mutually 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