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Congress Passes Landmark Cargo Theft Legislation

The House of Representatives approved the Combating Organized Retail Crime Act on May 12, advancing the first significant federal anti-theft framework for the trucking industry. The bill passed with overwhelming support, 348-60, signaling rare bipartisan consensus on freight security measures.

The legislation arrives as the sector confronts an uncomfortable reality: approximately half of all cargo theft now originates from carriers that successfully completed standard vetting procedures. This statistic underscores how traditional security protocols fail to prevent losses from trusted operators.

The measure represents a watershed moment for an industry long plagued by organized theft networks. Congressional action follows mounting pressure from shippers and carriers struggling with rising loss rates and sophisticated criminal operations targeting high-value shipments.