ICSC Leads Real Estate Coalition in Push to Include CORCA in Year-End Defense Legislation

ICSC is leading a coalition of national real estate organizations urging congressional leaders to include the bipartisan Combating Organized Retail Crime Act (CORCA) in the final Fiscal Year 2027 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA).

ICSC was joined by the Commercial Real Estate Development Association (CREDA), Nareit, the National Association of REALTORS® and The Real Estate Roundtable in sending a letter to House and Senate leadership. The coalition's letter emphasizes that organized retail crime (ORC) extends well beyond financial losses for retailers. These crimes create public safety concerns, increase operating costs and can discourage investment in commercial districts.

The letter also highlights findings from a recent nationwide FTI Consulting survey that reported 81% of Americans believe ORC contributes to higher consumer prices. The findings reinforce the broader economic and community impacts of retail crime and the importance of a coordinated federal response.

CORCA would strengthen federal efforts to combat ORC by improving coordination among federal, state and local law enforcement agencies and providing additional tools to investigate and prosecute sophisticated criminal networks. The legislation is intended to address criminal enterprises operating across jurisdictions, where fragmented enforcement can make investigations and prosecutions particularly challenging.

The House passed CORCA in May by an overwhelming bipartisan vote of 348-60, marking a significant milestone for legislation that has been a longstanding ICSC federal policy priority. Since then, ICSC has worked closely with its coalition partners and congressional champions to identify opportunities to advance the measure in the Senate.

Including CORCA in the NDAA represents one potential legislative pathway to enactment before the end of the year. Major retail trade associations, including the Retail Industry Leaders Association (RILA) and the National Retail Federation (NRF), have also weighed in, reinforcing broad industry support for including CORCA in the final NDAA.

With Congress not expected to return until after the midterm elections, lawmakers will face a compressed year-end window to complete the NDAA and other outstanding legislative priorities. The coalition is emphasizing that the final months of the 119th Congress present an opportunity to advance bipartisan policies that support public safety, commercial real estate investment and economic development.

For more information contact Abby Jagoda at ajagoda@icsc.com.