In a dramatic turn of events during a Republican conference lunch at the Capitol, Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., played the role of a hero by performing the Heimlich maneuver on his colleague, Sen. Joni Ernst from Iowa. This life-saving action has received admiration and gratitude from Republicans in attendance.

The incident occurred on Thursday during the GOP conference lunch, where tradition dictates that a different senator brings food from their home state. This time it was Ernst’s turn to showcase Iowa's culinary delights, including big pork chops and beef sandwiches. However, while enjoying the meal, Ernst began to choke, causing panic among her colleagues.

But thanks to the quick thinking and medical expertise of Sen. Rand Paul, who is also an eye doctor, Ernst was promptly rescued from distress. Ernst later took to Twitter to express her gratitude, saying, "Can't help but choke on the woke policies Dems are forcing down our throats. Thanks, Dr. @RandPaul!"

Although the incident had yet to be reported at the time, Ernst calmly walked away from the lunch as it concluded. Despite the food mishap, Ernst's resilience shone through, and she was able to carry on without any further complications.

Republican lawmakers were effusive in their praise for Paul's actions. Senate Minority Whip John Thune, R-S.D., who attended the lunch, acknowledged the incident but had not witnessed the Heimlich maneuver himself. Nonetheless, he commended Paul and expressed gratitude for his quick response.

Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, who often has policy disagreements with Paul, put those differences aside and commended the Kentucky senator, saying, "It's a good thing he did. God bless Rand Paul. I never thought I'd say that." The sentiment was shared by other colleagues, including Sen. Cynthia Lummis of Wyoming, who expressed her gratitude for Paul's presence during the incident.

Interestingly, this is not the first time a senator has received the Heimlich maneuver during a lunch with colleagues. Back in 2018, Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., unintentionally broke Sen. Claire McCaskill's rib while performing the Heimlich on her during a lunch gathering.

The incident serves as a reminder of the importance of basic life-saving techniques and the appreciation for individuals like Sen. Rand Paul who are prepared to act swiftly in the face of emergencies. This event also offers a glimpse into the camaraderie and unity that can exist across party lines in a time of need.