Rand Paul performs Heimlich maneuver on Senator Joni Ernst during lunch
‘Can’t help but choke on the woke policies Dems are forcing down our throats,’ Sen Joni Ernst writes after incident
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Sen Rand Paul of Kentucky reportedly performed the Heimlich maneuver on fellow Republican Sen Joni Ernst of Iowa after she began choking at a US Senate lunch.
The report first emerged after Politico’s Burgess Everett posted on X about the incident. Fellow senators told Politico that Ms Ernst was OK following the incident.
Ms Ernst replied to the tweet less than an hour later, thanking Mr Paul and appearing to confirm the report.
“Can’t help but choke on the woke policies Dems are forcing down our throats,” she wrote.
Sen Chuck Grassley posted a photo with Ms Ernst holding plates of food at a lunch with the Iowa Cattlemen’s Association Thursday afternoon. Ms Ernst appears to be holding a plate with meat, bread, coleslaw and corn.
A spokesperson for Mr Grassley did not have any comment on the incident but confirmed to The Independent that Ms Ernst was the host of this week’s Senate lunch and that she had chosen the Iowa Cattlemen’s Association to cater the meal.
A spokesperson for Ms Ernst confirmed the senator is “doing well” and directed The Independent to her post on X when asked for comment. Mr Paul’s office did not immediately reply to The Independent’s request for comment.
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments