Sen. Rand Paul Performs Heimlich on Choking Fellow Senator

Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY) used the Heimlich maneuver on Sen. Joni Ernst (R-IA) after she began choking on food Thursday.

The situation occurred during a private Senate lunch, according to Fox News Digital.

Sen Rand Paul performs Heimlich maneuver on choking Joni Ernsthttps://t.co/a3m4tV9AQg

— DebizzleSizzles (@DebizzleSizzles) December 1, 2023

"Can’t help but choke on the woke policies Dems are forcing down our throats," Enrst later posted on X.

"Thanks, Dr. @RandPaul!" she added, giving some humor to the serious incident.

U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, is OK after choking and receiving the Heimlich maneuver from U.S. Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky. Senators were served lunch from the Iowa Cattlemen’s Association. https://t.co/OYIGnbnbrL

— The Daily Iowan (@TheDailyIowan) December 1, 2023

"U.S. Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks, R-Iowa, shared a Fox News story via X, formerly known as Twitter, and said, 'Thank God we have doctors in Congress. So grateful that [Sen. Rand Paul] was able to intervene and that [Sen. Joni Ernst] is okay,'" the Daily Iowan reported.

"U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, posted a photo alongside Ernst, as well as the food served by the Iowa Cattlemen’s Association at the Senate lunch before news was reported that Ernst had choked," it continued.

Ernst was seen walking in the Capitol shortly after the incident, with no hospitalization required after the brief choking scare.

Paul, a medical doctor and ophthalmologist, has served as a Republican senator in Kentucky since 2011. His father, Ron Paul, has also long been known for his years in the House and also ran for president in 2008 and 2012.

He is a graduate of both Baylor and Duke Universities and served in medical practice prior to entering politics.

The medical training came in handy for a brief moment during the political luncheon this week, quickly stopping what could have been a much more serious situation for Ernst on Thursday.