MADISON Wis. (CBS 58) -- Republican U.S. Rep. Derrick Van Orden cursed and yelled at teenagers who were on a tour of the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday.

The freshman lawmaker from Wisconsin's 3rd Congressional District called Senate pages who were hosting a tour late Wednesday "lazy s----" and to "get the f--- up" off the floor when they were lying down in the Capitol Rotunda taking photos of the Capitol dome, according to reports by PunchBowl News.

Van Orden, a retired Navy SEAL, did not deny the incident in a statement, but noted the rotunda served as a "field hospital where countless Union soldiers died fighting" during the Civil War.

"I have long said our nation's Capitol is a symbol of the sacrifice our servicemen and women have made for this country and should never be treated like a frat house common room," Van Orden said. "Threatening a congressman with bad press to excuse poor behavior is a reminder of everything that’s wrong with Washington. Luckily, bad press has never bothered me and if it's the price I pay to stand up for what's right, then so be it."

In response to the incident, Democrats slammed Van Orden by referencing other incidents such as being outside the Capitol during the Jan. 6 insurrection in 2021.

"This unhinged behavior directed towards 16 and 17-year-old kids is disqualifying and is only the latest example of Van Orden’s disturbing conduct," Joe Oslund, a spokesman for the Democratic Party of Wisconsin said. "Derrick Van Orden has demonstrated time and again that he simply lacks the temperament and good judgment to serve.”

A reporter from PunchBowl later tweeted a photo of what appears to be bottles of alcohol in Van Orden's office the night of the incident.

Anna Kelly, a spokeswoman for Van Orden, replied to the tweet saying the congressman had about 50 constituents visiting his office for a private tour and he "regularly hosts beer and cheese tours with constituents."