GOP's Naked Congressman Kevin Yoder of Kansas, 10 Seconds In the Sea of Galilee
U.S. Rep. Kevin Yoder of Kansas apologized to his constituents Sunday night after a published report revealed the freshman lawmaker swam nude in the Sea of Galilee during a private fact-finding trip to the Mideast last August.
Politico reported the incident in a story on its
website Sunday. The website said the FBI investigated the trip,
which included other lawmakers and their spouses, as well as staff
members.
"I feel incredibly remorseful that I have caused
embarrassment to my constituents and I have caused folks who
believe in me to be disappointed," Yoder told The Star Sunday
night.
"The gravity of the situation and the actions I've
taken are not lost on me, and I feel certainly regret at what has
occurred, and I just want to apologize to my constituents for a
momentary lapse in judgment."
ITS A YEAR
AGO-- BUT IT IS A REPUBLICAN!
The swimming occurred after an Aug. 18, 2011, dinner
at a restaurant. Yoder said it was dark and members of the party
jumped into the Sea of Galilee individually, not as a group. Yoder
said he and his wife, Brooke, who was with him, had wine with
dinner, but "alcohol did not play a role."
"It was a spontaneous moment where other members of
Congress were jumping in," he said. "I made the mistake of diving
in. I was in for about 10 seconds and got back out."
Swimming in the lake is permitted but public nudity is
not allowed....."