U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, is OK after choking on her meal at a private senate lunch on Thursday. U.S. Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., a retired ophthalmologist, successfully performed the Heimlich maneuver.
Following the event, Ernst shared her status in a post on X, formerly known as Twitter.
Can’t help but choke on the woke policies Dems are forcing down our throats. Thanks, Dr. @RandPaul! https://t.co/OJDdqpQXjR
— Joni Ernst (@SenJoniErnst) November 30, 2023
“Can’t help but choke on the woke policies Dems are forcing down our throats. Thanks, [Sen. Rand Paul].”
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.”
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. According to Washington Post reporter Liz Goodwin, the Senate lunch was for “Iowa day” and the Senate ate pork chops and ribeyes. According to Grassley’s post, the meal also included coleslaw and mac and cheese.