December 23, 2025
Mr. Gottheimer (for himself, Mr. Van Drew, Ms. Van Duyne, Mr. Moskowitz, Mr. Peters, Mr. Rutherford, Mrs. Kim, Ms. Tenney, Mr. Pappas, and Mr. Panetta) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary
To amend title 18, United States Code, to extend to matter left for collection by private or commercial interstate carriers the same protections as matter carried throughout the country as interstate or foreign commerce.
Section 1. Short title
This Act may be cited as the Porch Pirates Act of 2025
.
Sec. 2. Sense of Congress
It is the sense of Congress that Congress has the authority to extend to matters left for collection by private or commercial interstate carriers the same protections as matter carried through the country as interstate or foreign commerce.
Sec. 3. Private or commercial interstate carrier protections
(a) Obstruction of matter left for collection
Section 659 of title 18, United States Code, is amended—
(1)
at the end of the fourth paragraph, by striking —
and inserting ; or
; and
(2)
by inserting after paragraph four the following new paragraph:
Whoever embezzles, steals, or unlawfully takes, carries away, or by fraud or deception obtains, any package, or other article, which has been delivered by any private or commercial interstate carrier before the addressee or his or her agent has taken physical possession—