BETHESDA, MD, May 13, 2026 – American Beverage Licensees (ABL) issued the following statement after the U.S. House of Representatives yesterday passed the bipartisan Combatting Organized Retail Crime Act (CORCA) (H.R. 2853) by a vote of 348 -60:
“America’s beer, wine and spirits retailers applaud the House passage of the Combating Organized Retail Crime Act (CORCA), and urge the Senate to swiftly advance this important bipartisan legislation. Organized retail crime has become an increasingly sophisticated and dangerous threat to beverage alcohol retailers across the country, jeopardizing employee safety, disrupting local economies, and forcing many small, family-owned businesses to invest heavily in security measures simply to protect their workers and customers.
“Beverage alcohol retailers are uniquely vulnerable because alcohol products are high-value, easily resold commodities that are targeted by organized criminal enterprises, undermining the accountability and public safety protections that are central to states’ alcohol regulatory systems. ABL supports stronger coordination among federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies to combat organized retail theft and protect Main Street businesses that serve communities nationwide.
“ABL thanks Representatives Dave Joyce (R-OH), David Valadao (D-CA), Michael Baumgartner (R-WA), Lou Correa (D-CA), Laurel Lee (R-FL), Susie Lee (D-NV), Brad Schneider (D-IL) and Dina Titus (D-NV) for their leadership on this important issue.”
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