Congresswoman Lee Helps Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Combat Organized Retail Crime

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congresswoman Susie Lee (NV-03) joined Congressman Dave Joyce (OH-14) to announce the introduction of the bipartisan, bicameral Combating Organized Retail Crime Act in the U.S. House to deter individuals and groups involved in organized retail crime (ORC). Senators Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV) and Chuck Grassley (R-IA) introduced companion legislation in the Senate. Representatives David Valadao (CA-21), Dina Titus (NV-01), Michael Baumgartner (WA-05), Brad Schneider (IL-10), Laurel Lee (FL-15), and Lou Correa (CA-46) are co-leading this legislation in the House.

The legislation would update the law to designate ORC as a federal offense and allow federal judges to order criminal forfeiture of the stolen goods, while supporting law enforcement with the tools needed to crack down on the rise in theft of merchandise, fraud, and other organized crimes against people and groups.

In Nevada, ORC caused an estimated loss of $85 million in tax revenue and over $466 million in the total amount of goods stolen in 2021. ORC affects consumers, workers, and businesses — costing over $1 billion in lost products, higher insurance, increased prices of goods, and unrealized wages in Nevada alone. The National Retail Federation also ranked Las Vegas as the #8 city most affected by retail crime, according to a survey completed by senior loss prevention and security executives in the retail industry.

The bipartisan Combating Organized Retail Crime Act would:

• Establish an Organized Retail and Supply Chain Crime Coordination Center within Homeland Security Investigations at the Department of Homeland Security.
• Designate ORC a federal crime and equip federal investigators and prosecutors to combat these operations.
• Require the Department of Homeland Security and Department of Justice to report to Congress on this type of crime and enforcement.

“Organized retail crime puts all of us in danger, while hurting consumers, taxpayers, and businesses of all sizes. And the stolen goods fund human trafficking and terrorism,” said Congresswoman Lee. “Our local and state law enforcement are doing incredible work, but we need coordination at the federal level to investigate and prosecute these crimes. Our bipartisan legislation will support law enforcement with the tools they need to crack down on these criminal operations.”

“Businesses throughout my district are facing the burdens of a rise in organized retail crimes and fraud schemes that are sweeping the nation,” said Congressman Joyce. “These criminal organizations are not only harming small businesses and retailers in our communities, but are also putting American consumers at risk of violence and fraud. These crimes also have more widespread consequences for public safety, as these organized groups often resell stolen goods to finance other illicit activities, including drug and human trafficking operations. Our bipartisan, bicameral legislation will give law enforcement the tools they need to put a stop to these rampant crimes. I want to thank Senator Grassley for his steadfast leadership on this effort and all our House and Senate colleagues on both sides of the aisle for their partnership in addressing this critical issue.” 

###