New Jersey Representative Josh Gottheimer has reintroduced the Porch Pirates Act, aiming to classify stealing packages from private porches as a federal offense. The legislation would impose penalties of up to 10 years in prison and $250,000 in fines, extending protections beyond current laws for U.S. Postal Service mail. This move comes amid broader Democratic efforts to address consumer issues, though critics question its necessity and potential impact on incarceration rates.
On December 1, 2025, Representative Josh Gottheimer, a Democrat from New Jersey, spoke in his home district to promote the Porch Pirates Act. The bill seeks to expand federal protections for package deliveries by private carriers such as Amazon, United Parcel Service, and FedEx. Under existing law, stealing mail from U.S. Postal Service receptacles is a federal crime punishable by up to five years in prison. The proposed act would include porches as protected spaces, elevating theft from these locations to a federal offense with harsher penalties: up to 10 years imprisonment and fines reaching $250,000.
The legislation would also empower the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Department of Justice, and federal task forces to investigate such thefts. Originally introduced in 2022, the bill saw little progress in Congress. In 2024, former Representative Dean Phillips, a co-sponsor, produced a video shadowing a UPS driver to highlight the issue, though it garnered limited traction.
Proponents argue it addresses a growing problem of package theft, but the U.S. Postal Service Office of Inspector General's recent white paper suggests alternative solutions. These include flexible delivery options, enhanced tracking technology, and discreet packaging to prevent theft without relying on criminal penalties.
Gottheimer's effort coincides with other Democratic developments, including the party's decision not to release its 2024 election autopsy report, citing potential distractions. With 17 Democratic co-sponsors in a prior version, the bill's relevance is debated amid larger economic concerns like healthcare costs and inflation. Critics warn it could exacerbate mass incarceration issues, echoing the contentious 1990s crime bill that boosted prison populations.
