H.R. 2853 · Where this bill is now
In the Senate
Passed the House May 12, 2026. Received May 13, 2026; no Senate vote yet
What this bill does
In plain words · AI-written from the official summaryStrengthens federal penalties for organized retail crime
The bill expands how federal law targets organized retail and supply chain crime—theft that's coordinated across state lines or involves stolen goods moving through interstate commerce. It makes it easier for prosecutors to pursue these crimes by allowing them to add up the value of stolen items over a 12-month period, and it lets law enforcement seize money and property from people convicted of these offenses. The bill also creates a new center within the Department of Homeland Security to coordinate federal efforts against organized retail theft.
How it affects you
If you shop at retail stores, this could eventually affect the prices and availability of goods, since organized theft drives up costs for businesses. People involved in coordinated theft across state lines face stronger federal enforcement and harsher penalties under this law. Law enforcement agencies get new tools and a coordinating center to crack down on these crimes.
Read the official summary (Reported to House, Jan 30, 2026)
Combating Organized Retail Crime Act of 2025
This bill expands federal enforcement of criminal offenses related to organized retail and supply chain crime. The term organized retail and supply chain crime includes criminal offenses involving the interstate transportation of stolen property, the sale or receipt of stolen goods, or theft from an interstate or foreign shipment that is committed by, in coordination with, or at the instruction of an organization.
First, with respect to criminal offenses involving the interstate transportation of stolen property or the sale or receipt of stolen goods, the bill broadens the scope of conduct that qualifies as offenses by allowing prosecutions to be based on the aggregate value of stolen items over a 12-month period. Additionally, the bill makes the offenses predicate offenses (i.e., underlying offenses) for prosecutions under the federal money laundering statute and authorizes the criminal forfeiture of any property obtained from the proceeds of an offense.
Second, with respect to criminal offenses involving theft from an interstate or foreign shipment, the bill also makes an offense an underlying offense for prosecution under the federal money laundering statute and authorizes the criminal forfeiture of any associated property.
Third, the bill expands the federal money laundering statute to include offenses involving general-use prepaid cards, gift certificates, or store gift cards.
Finally, the bill temporarily establishes a center within the Department of Homeland Security to coordinate federal law enforcement activities related to organized retail and supply chain crime.
Written by AI (Claude) using only the official summary by the Congressional Research Service, the Library of Congress’s nonpartisan research staff. It can miss nuance, so check the official summary and the bill text for details.
1st SessionH. R. 2853
AN ACT
Combating Organized Retail Crime Act of 2025
Sponsor: Rep. David P. Joyce (R-OH-14) · Introduced Apr 10, 2025 · Crime and Law Enforcement · 4 versions of the text
Sources: Congress.gov actions and votes · bill text from GovInfo · latest official action May 13, 2026: “Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.”
How Congress voted
Official roll callsHouse · On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass, as Amended · May 12, 2026
Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass, as Amended Passed 348–60
| Party | Yes | No | Didn’t vote |
|---|---|---|---|
| Democrats | 144 | 59 | 9 |
| Independents | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Republicans | 203 | 1 | 12 |
60 members voted against most of their party: 59 Democrats voted No and 1 Republicans voted No.
Congress votes on whole bills and amendments, not on single sections.