Rep. Marlin Stutzman, R-3rd, did not join other Republican members of Congress for a nighttime swim in the Sea of Galilee during a visit to Israel last August, his office said Monday.

Politico reported Sunday night that six lawmakers took a brief after-dinner dip Aug. 18, 2011. They included Rep. Kevin Yoder, R-Kan., who removed all his clothes.

Yoder apologized to his constituents Monday for “an embarrassing situation,” news media reported. Christians consider the Sea of Galilee a holy site; teachings and miracles attributed to Jesus happened on or near the freshwater lake.

Stutzman and his wife, Christy, were among the U.S. delegation in Israel at the time but did not go swimming that night, press secretary James Wegmann said Monday.

“He and his wife were not involved in this incident,” Wegmann said. “After dinner with the group, Mr. and Mrs. Stutzman returned to their hotel.”

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