"Congressman Van Orden Faces Backlash for Vulgar Outburst Towards Senate Pages"

Rep. Derrick Van Orden, a Republican congressman from Wisconsin, faced bipartisan criticism after cursing at a group of high school-age Senate pages who were lying on the floor to take photos of the Capitol Rotunda. Van Orden refused to apologize, claiming he was protecting the integrity of the space. Senior members of Congress, including Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, expressed their dismay at Van Orden's behavior and lack of remorse. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy called the incident a possible "misunderstanding," while Rep. Chip Roy mocked Van Orden's outburst. This is not the first time Van Orden has faced controversy for his short temper, as he was previously accused of threatening a library staffer in 2021.