Bowling Green Today

U.S. Senator Rand Paul (R-KY) and Congressman Morgan McGarvey (D-KY-03) are set to reintroduce the Justice for Breonna Taylor Act in the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives, respectively. The bill aims to prohibit no-knock warrants, a practice that allows law enforcement to enter a home without announcing their authority or purpose.

Dr. Paul expressed his support for the bill, stating, “It’s long past time to get rid of no-knock warrants. This bill will effectively end no-knock raids in the United States, and I’m pleased to work with Rep. McGarvey and Sen. Booker on this important legislation.”

Rep. McGarvey, reflecting on the tragic death of Breonna Taylor, emphasized the need for national action, saying, “I’m proud to partner with Senators Rand Paul and Cory Booker to move this important bill forward in the House and Senate. The Justice for Breonna Taylor Act is going to protect people and keep our communities safe.”

Senator Cory Booker, an original cosponsor of the Senate version of the bill, highlighted the dangers of no-knock entries, stating, “No one should ever experience the horror of being startled from their sleep by police executing a no-knock warrant.” He added, “I am proud to work with Senator Paul to introduce and pass the Justice for Breonna Taylor Act, a crucial, long-overdue public safety bill to ensure that such tragedies never occur again in our nation.”

The Justice for Breonna Taylor Act, named in memory of Breonna Taylor, would mandate that law enforcement officers provide notice before executing a warrant. It would also extend this requirement to state and local agencies receiving funds from the Department of Justice.

The reintroduction of this legislation comes after Kentucky passed a limit on the use of no-knock warrants in 2021. Dr. Paul and Rep. McGarvey are now working to address this issue at the federal level, building on efforts initiated at the state level.

In a press conference held in Louisville, Kentucky, ahead of their travel to Washington, D.C., Sen. Paul and Rep. McGarvey underscored the importance of advancing the Justice for Breonna Taylor Act to enhance public safety and prevent future tragedies like the one that claimed Breonna Taylor's life in 2020.