Capitol Hill Police will investigate how a nude sexting photo of Texas Rep. Barton leaked online.

Texas Rep. Joe Barton (R-Ennis) says Capitol Hill Police will investigate how a nude sexting photo of him leaked online.

Barton apologized earlier today, saying all of his relationships have been consensual and with mature, adult women.

The Washington Post has come out with a story in which reporters say they talked to the woman who received the nude photo and sexual text message from Barton.

She told The Post she had a sexual relationship with Barton over five years after posting a message on his Facebook page, and says that at least one of their physical encounters happened in Texas.

The Post says she shared a secretly recorded phone conversation she had with Barton in 2015, in which he warned her against using the sexually explicit photos and messages in a way that would negatively affect his career.

The Post reports that in the recording, Barton says he would take the matter to Capitol Hill Police and have them launch an investigation.

In response to the report, Barton has released a statement saying, "This woman admitted that we had a consensual relationship. When I ended that relationship, she threatened to publicly share my private photographs and intimate correspondence in retaliation. I offered to take the matter to Capitol Hill Police to open an investigation. Today, the Capitol Police reached out to me and offered to launch an investigation and I have accepted."

Barton told The Dallas Morning News that he has no plans to resign and he has filed for reelection in 2018.

Barton was a consultant in the oil and gas industry before he joined the U.S. House in 1985. 

Barton is currently the vice chairman of the powerful House Energy and Commerce committee. He was the committee's chairman from 2004 until 2007.