Rep. John Murtha, D-Pa., back in hospital

WASHINGTON, Feb. 2 (UPI) -- U.S. Rep. John Murtha, D-Pa., was in intensive care Tuesday at a Virginia hospital after an operation last week to remove his gall bladder.

Neither Murtha's office nor the Virginia Hospital Center at Arlington would release details on his condition, Politico reported. His aides confirmed the Democratic congressman had laparoscopic surgery last week at Bethesda Naval Hospital.

Murtha was hospitalized in December with a gallbladder infection. He returned to work, shepherding the defense appropriations bill through the House, with visible bandages.

The first Vietnam veteran elected to the U.S. Congress, Murtha, 77, has represented his western Pennsylvania district since 1974.