Rep. Michael McCaul briefly detained at Dulles airport

Nov. 14 (UPI) - Republican Rep. Michael McCaul was briefly detained at Dulles International Airport earlier this month after appearing intoxicated, according to reports.

The incident - first reported by Semafor and later confirmed by CNN and Fox News - occurred two weeks ago as he was to board a flight from Washington, D.C., to his home state of Texas.

In statements to the media outlets, McCaul said he had mixed alcohol with the sleeping aid Ambien, which he had taken in order to help him sleep during the flight.

The combination caused him to become disoriented and he missed his flight, he said. He was then "briefly detained" by law enforcement officers while he waited for a family member to pick him up, he added.

"I made a mistake - one for which I take full responsibility," said McCaul, chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee.

"This incident does not reflect who I am and who I strive to be. As a human, I am not perfect. But I am determined to learn from this mistake and, God-willing, make myself a better person."

McCaul represents the 10th Congressional District of Texas in the U.S. House of Representatives.