Bill seeks to deploy state-of-the-art technology at intermodal hubs to combat cargo theft

A pair of U.S. Senators hope that their new bill will help leverage new technology to protect the U.S. supply chain from the growing threat of cargo theft.

On December 4, 2025, Senators Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) and Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) introduced the Cargo Security Innovation Act to “ensure that those on the front lines of the fight against cargo theft have state-of-the-art technology to protect their operations.”

The bill would create a pilot program “to deploy advanced law enforcement or cargo security technologies at intermodal hubs across the country.” It would also require reporting on the effectiveness of these technologies to be delivered to Congress.

Blackburn said that cargo theft increased by 57% in 2023, resulting in losses of $400 million.

“Cargo theft is a pressing issue impacting businesses in Tennessee, and we need to shut down these organized crime groups that steal essential goods from Tennesseans to traffic drugs and weapons,” said Blackburn. “Our bipartisan Cargo Security Innovation Act would help law enforcement bring more of these criminals to justice and disrupt these sophisticated cargo theft rings to protect our supply chains.” 

“Cargo theft significantly impacts the supply chain, harming American businesses and consumers, especially food shippers. When criminals break into shipments, businesses are forced to return containers and dispose of compromised products,” said Klobuchar. “Our bipartisan legislation would equip law enforcement with the resources to combat these crimes — creating a pilot program that invests in technology to curb cargo theft.”

The bill is endorsed by the American Trucking Associations, the Association of American Railroads, the Intermodal Association of North America, the Greater Memphis Chamber of Commerce, and IMC Logistics.

“Skyrocketing incidents of cargo theft undermine our supply chain, raise costs for consumers, and place truck drivers and warehouse workers directly in harm’s way. Due to the complex, multi-jurisdictional nature of these highly sophisticated crimes, only the federal government has the resources to take down organized theft groups.  ATA commends Senators Blackburn and Klobuchar for introducing legislation to equip law enforcement with the advanced technological capabilities they need to keep pace with evolving criminal techniques and strike an effective blow against organized crime,” said Henry Hanscom, Senior Vice President, Legislative Affairs at American Trucking Associations.