Florida Republican Rep. Ted Yoho disputed reports that said he called New York Rep. Alexandria-Ocasio Cortez names, apologizing for how the incident was “misunderstood” by the press.

While making remarks on the House floor on Wednesday, Yoho denied reports that he called the socialist “disgusting” and a “f—ing bitch” during a heated conversation. Ocasio-Cortez, a liberal firebrand, later remarked she “never had that kind of abrupt, disgusting kind of disrespect levied at me.”