The U.S. House approved a bill, sponsored by Congressman Dave Joyce, that targets theft, fraud and other organized crimes against retail stores and the nation’s supply chain.

The House approved the bill 348-60 Tuesday.

Joyce, R-Bainbridge, represents all of Trumbull County and will have a small portion of Mahoning County in his district starting next year. Joyce introduced the Combating Organized Retail Crime Act on April 10, 2025. The House Judiciary Committee approved the bill Jan. 13.

Joyce said, “Organized retail crime is an issue that affects everyone. Whether you are a business owner, truck driver or the average consumer, these criminal enterprises are hurting your wallet and putting communities in danger.”

The bill would establish an Organized Retail and Supply Chain Crime Coordination Center in Homeland Security Investigations at the Department of Homeland Security. The center would allow increased collaboration between federal, state and local law enforcement agencies, along with retail crime association and subject matter experts, to create a cohesive strategy to combat retail crimes and share resources.

Joyce said the bill “takes a targeted approach to apprehending these criminal networks by establishing (the coordination center) and giving law enforcement the tools they need to do their job and protect our communities. I want to thank my colleagues in the House for supporting this legislation, and I urge the Senate to pass it swiftly.”

The bill is sponsored in the Senate by Chuck Grassley, an Iowa Republican, and Catherine Cortez Masto, a New Mexico Democrat. It hasn’t received a hearing in the Senate to date.

Joyce first introduced the bill Feb. 9, 2023, in the House. It was referred to the House Judiciary Committee, which never held a hearing despite 140 members signing on as cosponsors. The companion was introduced Jan. 30, 2023, in the Senate and sent to the Senate Judiciary Committee without a hearing.

This bill, like the one from 2023, seeks to broaden the scope of conduct that qualifies as offenses and allow for prosecution under the federal money laundering statute.

Stores lost $121.6 billion to retail theft in 2023, compared to $61.7 billion in 2019. Also, product manufacturers and the supply chain have experienced a rise in organized cargo theft across rails, road and distribution points.

The bill seeks to improve enforcement capabilities and foster coordination among various law enforcement agencies while safeguarding commerce, consumer confidence and national security.

The bill received widespread support from various law enforcement, retail, trucking and shipping organizations.

David French, executive vice president of government relations for the National Retail Federation, said, “Organized retail crime remains a serious and ongoing threat to retail employees, customers and communities across the country. We commend Congressman Joyce for his leadership on advancing the (bill). The bill enhances federal coordination and delivers much-needed resources to disrupt these criminal networks.”

Chris Spear, president and CEO of the American Trucking Association, said, “Cargo thieves are stealing $18 million every day from the trucking industry and motor carriers, and consumers pay the price. (The bill) will give our industry and law enforcement the tools we need to fight back against highly organized, technologically advanced cargo theft rings, which are often orchestrated by transnational criminal groups.”