Kings County Times

Today, Congressman David G. Valadao (CA-22) and Congressman Brad Schneider (IL-10) introduced the Safeguarding Our Supply Chains Act. Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, millions of dollars’ worth of cargo have been stolen through organized theft. The issue is especially prevalent in California, which saw a 72% year-over-year increase in cargo thefts in the first quarter of 2024.

The Safeguarding Our Supply Chains Act aims to improve coordination between the Department of Homeland Security and the FBI to stop rampant theft within the nation's supply chains.

“Central Valley families are paying more for just about everything, and supply chain disruptions only make this problem worse,” said Congressman Valadao. “The alarming increase in cargo theft is having a devastating impact across industries, and we need to do more to ensure these goods are making it to their destination. The Safeguarding Our Supply Chains Act will improve coordination to identify solutions and prevent theft. I’m proud to introduce this bipartisan bill and look forward to working with my colleagues to get this across the finish line.”

“Cargo theft and supply chain fraud has increased at an alarming rate over the last few years. In just the first four months of this year, my state of Illinois experienced a 126 percent spike in incidents of fraud schemes,” said Congressman Schneider. “I’m proud to join Rep. Valadao in introducing this bill to bolster the federal response to the rise in cargo theft and supply chain fraud facing the logistics and transportation industries.”

Congressman Valadao was joined in introduction by Reps. Brad Schneider (IL-10), Darin LaHood (IL-16), Vince Fong (CA-20), and August Pfluger (TX-11).

The Safeguarding Our Supply Chains Act establishes a Supply Chain Crime Coordination Center within the Department of Homeland Security’s Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and a Supply Chain and Theft Task Force led by HSI and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).

The Supply Chain Crime Coordination Center will operate through HSI’s Innovation Lab to collect and analyze data related to supply chain fraud and theft, analyzing regions and modes of transportation in the United States that are experiencing high volumes of organized crime.

The Supply Chain and Theft Task Force will be a joint effort between HSI, the FBI, and all relevant agencies to address supply chain fraud and theft throughout rail, motor carrier, and intermodal systems, aiming to detect, disrupt, and deter organized theft groups targeting all stages of the supply chain.

The Task Force is required to report to Congress within 180 days following enactment, and annually thereafter, describing its effectiveness.

The Safeguarding Our Supply Chains Act is supported by several organizations including the Association of American Railroads (AAR), American Trucking Associations (ATA), National Milk Producers Federation, U.S. Dairy Export Council, UPS, Union Pacific (UP), U.S. Chamber of Commerce, Retail Industry Leaders Association (RILA), National Retail Federation, National Association of Manufacturers (NAM), and BNSF Railway.

Congressman Valadao authored language in the Fiscal Year 2025 Homeland Security Appropriations Act to establish a Supply Chain Fraud and Theft Task Force as well as $2 million to fund the initiative. The FY25 Homeland Security Appropriations Act passed out of a full committee markup and awaits consideration from the full House.