Senators and witnesses at the subcommittee hearing described cargo theft and freight fraud as an expanding national problem that requires stronger federal enforcement, better broker oversight and industry‑government coordination.

Chris Spear of the American Trucking Associations said annual losses from cargo theft have climbed to an estimated $35 billion and urged legislation to empower federal law enforcement to lead investigations and improve responses. “This economic and national security threat has exploded in the last few years, with annual losses now totaling a staggering $35,000,000,000,” Spear testified.

Witnesses and senators described increasingly sophisticated schemes, including hijacked bills of lading, spoofed brokers and transnational criminal organizations that can change delivery instructions while trucks are in motion. Louis Pugh (OOIDA) and other witnesses said fictitious brokers and identity theft of trucking companies enable fraudulent pickups and deliveries.

Senator Amy Klobuchar and others pushed for stronger FMCSA authority to pursue bad actors and better reporting mechanisms so carriers and brokers can file complaints and evidence quickly. Fred Ferguson of the American Bus Association urged federal coordination with DHS and DOJ to address criminal syndicates targeting containers and food shipments, giving the example of repeated thefts of dry milk powder from containers.

Policy proposals discussed included the Household Goods Shipping Consumer Protection Act referenced by Senator Luhan (an item with bipartisan committee support), expanded broker registration and transparency requirements, stronger penalties for fraudulent brokers and dedicated federal task forces to track organized theft networks. Senators asked witnesses to work with staff on statutory language; no votes or final legislative texts were adopted at the hearing.