Virginia, Feb 3 (THAINDIAN NEWS) Rep. John Murtha had a scheduled laparoscopic surgery, in order to remove his gall bladder last week. Post surgery there were some complications, and presently he is in an intensive care unit in a Virginia Hospital. His spokesman confirmed the news. “Congressman Murtha underwent a to remove his gallbladder last week. Complications did arise from the surgery, and he is currently at the Virginia Hospital Center in Arlington,” said Rep. John Murtha’s spokesman Matthew Mazonkey.

The 77-year-old Rep. John Murtha was hospitalized last year in December, when he was suffering from severe abdominal pains, which were related to his gallbladder problems. He is quite a well-known Pennsylvania Democrat, who leads the House Defense Appropriations subcommittee. He is presently in his 18th full term in the Congress, and he looks after with an eagle eye at the defense spending on the House Appropriations Committee.

He is a former Marine Corps officer, and Rep John Murtha made history, when he was the first Vietnam War veteran to be elected to the U.S. House of Representatives. He was a member of the Pennsylvania House from 1969 to 1974. And in 1974 he got a scare when he narrowly won the special election, held to choose the successor to the incumbent, who died in office.