Republican senators were both alarmed and relieved when they discovered that their colleague, Sen. Joni Ernst, had choked during a party lunch and was saved by Sen. Rand Paul, who quickly administered the Heimlich maneuver. Thankfully, an aide to Ernst confirmed that she is doing fine.

Ernst, showing her good sense of humor, even made light of the incident on social media, jokingly attributing her choking to the “woke policies Dems are forcing down our throats” and thanking Rand Paul for his quick action.

During the lunch, which was hosted by Ernst as part of the GOP senators’ rotation, the senators enjoyed a meal featuring food unique to Iowa, including big pork chops and ribeyes. It was during this gathering that the choking incident occurred.

Although some senators did not witness the incident firsthand, the incident served as a reminder of the potentially dangerous nature of choking. Sen. John Cornyn of Texas commented that this was the second time a choking incident had occurred among their ranks, leaving them understandably shaken.

According to Wyoming Republican Cynthia Lummis, both Rand Paul and Joni Ernst addressed the issue after the incident, emphasizing the importance of recognizing the signs of choking and offering training for senators to learn how to perform the Heimlich maneuver in case of emergencies within the Capitol.

In light of this event, Senator Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, who was not present during the incident, humorously expressed his gratitude to Rand Paul, remarking, “God bless Rand Paul. I never thought I would say that.”

Choking incidents can happen to anyone, regardless of their position or surroundings. It is reassuring to know that our elected officials can quickly respond to emergencies and provide life-saving assistance when needed. Rand Paul’s actions serve as a reminder of the importance of basic first aid knowledge and being prepared to lend a helping hand in times of crisis.