The Real Estate Roundtable (RER) and a coalition of national real estate organizations urged congressional leaders to include the bipartisan Combating Organized Retail Crime Act (CORCA) in the final Fiscal Year 2027 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). (Letter, Sept. 17)

State of Play

• CORCA (H.R. 2853/S. 1404) would strengthen coordination among federal, state and local law enforcement and provide additional tools to investigate and prosecute organized criminal networks operating across jurisdictions.

• The House passed H.R. 2853 on May 12 by a bipartisan vote of 348–60. Senate supporters later filed CORCA as part of a bipartisan amendment package to the FY 2027 NDAA, but the chamber has not advanced the broader defense bill. (Legis1, May 14)

• RER joined the Commercial Real Estate Development Association, ICSC, Nareit and the National Association of REALTORS® in sending the letter to House and Senate leaders.

Why It Matters

• Organized retail crime affects more than retailers. These criminal networks threaten employees and customers, disrupt shopping centers and supply chains, contribute to store closures and higher prices, and discourage investment in communities. (Letter, Sept. 17)

• Retailers are projected to lose $49.8 billion to retail theft in 2026, with losses potentially exceeding $59 billion by 2029 without federal intervention.

• A nationwide FTI Consulting survey found that 81% of Americans believe organized retail crime contributes to higher consumer prices, while 74% support federal legislation to address it.

What’s Next

• With the House not expected to return until after the midterm elections, lawmakers will face a compressed year-end window to complete the NDAA.

RER and its coalition partners are urging congressional leaders to preserve CORCA in the final package and enact the bipartisan measure before the end of the 119th Congress.