Bowling Green Today

U.S. Senator Rand Paul is set to reintroduce the Justice for Breonna Taylor Act in the Senate, with Congressman Morgan McGarvey introducing the House version of the bill. The legislation aims to prohibit no-knock warrants, a practice that allows law enforcement officials 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." He also highlighted the importance of working with Rep. McGarvey and Senator Cory Booker on this crucial legislation.

Rep. McGarvey, reflecting on the tragic death of Breonna Taylor, emphasized the need for national action, saying, "After Breonna’s death, we passed a ban on no-knock warrants at the state and local level — if we can do this in Kentucky, we can do this nationally." He expressed pride in partnering with Senators Rand Paul and Cory Booker to advance the bill in Congress.

Senator Booker, an original cosponsor of the Senate version of the legislation, stressed the dangers of no-knock entries, describing them as "inherently dangerous, and often deadly." He highlighted the importance of federal action to ensure that tragedies like Breonna Taylor's death never happen again.

The Justice for Breonna Taylor Act, named in honor of the late Louisville resident and EMT, would mandate that law enforcement officers provide notice of their authority and purpose before executing a warrant. The bill would also extend these requirements to state and local agencies receiving funds from the Department of Justice.

Dr. Paul had previously introduced the legislation in 2020 and is now continuing these efforts at the federal level alongside Rep. McGarvey. The State Legislature of Kentucky had passed a limit on the use of no-knock warrants in 2021, and the lawmakers are now working towards a similar outcome nationally.

The reintroduction of the Justice for Breonna Taylor Act comes following a press conference held by Sen. Paul and Rep. McGarvey in Louisville, Kentucky, underscoring their commitment to addressing this important issue on a broader scale.