A New York congressman said Rep. Kevin Yoder's naked dip in the Sea of Galilee last year was the signal to him and other members of Congress to cut their lakeside frolic short.

Rep. Tom Reed, like Yoder, is a freshman Republican in the House. They and more than two dozen other House members and their guests traveled to Israel last August on a privately sponsored fact-finding tour.

On Aug. 18, 2011, several House members jumped into the Sea of Galilee after dinner. Reed told a New York television reporter earlier this week that the swim came at the end of a hot day.

"Obviously when Congressman Yoder disrobed, that was inappropriate and it ceased the activity immediately," he said in the interview. "And we recognize that and don't condone it. It was inappropriate."

Reed's office did not respond to an email seeking further comment.

In apologizing for the incident this week, Yoder said it occurred in the dark and lasted about 10 seconds.

On Friday, Yoder spokesman Matt Manda declined to comment on Reed's version of the incident.

"Rep. Reed is a friend of Kevin's, and their wives are friends as well," Manda said in an email. "I don't have any further comment on the context of the evening. We've been very clear about this incident and have nothing more to add."

Also on Friday, Politico reported that alcoholic beverages worth up to $500 were sold to the traveling party the night of the incident, roughly $20 per person.

The website said the bill was initially paid by the private sponsors of the gathering, in potential violation of House ethics rules. The members of Congress involved were asked to provide reimbursement for the beverages the following day.

In his initial statement, Yoder said excessive alcohol played no role in the incident.

Yoder, who represents the 3rd District in Kansas, is a delegate to the Republican National Convention, which begins Monday in Tampa, Fla. But a member of the congressman's staff said he may not attend.