Pennsylvania congressman John Murtha has been hospitalized in “very serious” condition in Virginia, NBC News has learned.

The 77-year-old Pennsylvania lawmaker was hospitalized in December with gallbladder problems. He underwent surgery for the aliment last week but was admitted to the intensive care unit of the Virginia Hospital Center in Arlington after experiencing complication on, Murtha spokesman Matt Mazonkey says.

The 19-term Democrat was the first Vietnam veteran to serve in Congress.