Rep. Ehlers collapses during event, says he's 'fine'

Rep. Vern Ehlers (R-Mich.) stressed he was "fine" on Saturday after he fainted during an event at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library.

The congressman, who announced his retirement from the House earlier this year, collapsed from dehydration in the second portion of an awards ceremony early Saturday afternoon, according to local reports. He was promptly taken to a local hospital, but released shortly after.

Ehlers' staff later informed reporters that the congressman was coming off a tough, two-day schedule that took him from Washington D.C. to Florida, then back to the Capitol, and finally to Grand Rapids for Saturday's event. Still, the congressman himself told local news that he was ready to get back to work.

"Tell everybody I'm fine, I feel fine," said the 74-year-old congressman, who said in February that he was not retiring because of health issues.