( CNN ) -- Rep. John Murtha of Pennsylvania , a longtime fixture on the House subcommittee that oversees Pentagon spending , died after complications from gallbladder surgery , according to his office . He was 77 . The Democratic congressman recently underwent scheduled laparoscopic surgery at National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda , Maryland , to remove his gallbladder . The procedure was `` routine minimally invasive surgery , '' but doctors `` hit his intestines , '' a source close to the late congressman told CNN . Murtha was initially hospitalized in December and had to postpone a hearing with Defense Secretary Robert Gates on the administration 's strategy in Afghanistan . The congressman returned to work after a few days in the hospital and helped oversee final passage of the 2010 defense appropriations bill . The National Naval Medical Center issued a statement saying Murtha was admitted January 28 for surgery , but declined to reveal additional details , citing his family 's request for privacy and federal privacy laws . In a written statement , Ray Mabus , secretary of the Navy , and Adm. Gary Roughead , chief of naval operations , expressed sympathy and condolences . Murtha had a `` tough-as-nails reputation '' and a `` passion for service , '' President Obama said in a written statement . He was `` a steadfast advocate for the people of Pennsylvania '' and `` a respected voice on issues of national security , '' Obama said . House Speaker Nancy Pelosi , a longtime ally of Murtha 's , said in a statement that he always put `` the troops and their families first . '' Murtha was `` incredibly effective in his service in the House , '' said Wisconsin Rep. David Obey , chairman of the Appropriations Committee . `` Every person who serves in the military has lost an advocate and a good friend . '' Murtha `` will be missed , '' said House Minority Leader John Boehner , R-Ohio . `` The House of Representatives has lost one of its own . '' Murtha had represented Pennsylvania 's 12th Congressional District since 1974 , making him the chamber 's eighth most senior member . According to his biography on the House of Representatives Web site , Murtha was the first Vietnam War combat veteran elected to Congress . He was considered one of `` the kings of pork '' on Capitol Hill by taxpayer watchdog groups for requesting tens of millions of dollars in earmarks . On his House Web site , Murtha strongly defended earmarks , saying , `` I believe that elected representatives of the people understand their constituents and districts best . '' Supporters said his efforts helped bring thousands of jobs to western Pennsylvania . Other controversies dogged Murtha 's career . Critics alleged that he steered Pentagon contracts to businesses that hired his brother as a lobbyist , but Murtha insisted that his brother was treated like everyone else . Murtha also turned up in the FBI 's Abscam investigation in 1980 when undercover agents offered bribes to several members of Congress . Murtha was videotaped turning down a bribe , saying he was n't interested `` at this point . '' He was not charged . Murtha came under fire during the 2008 election campaign for saying that part of his state was a `` racist area '' where constituents would not vote for Obama because he was black . He later apologized and said , `` While we can not deny that race is a factor in this election , I believe we 've been able to look beyond race these past few months . '' Murtha won 58 percent of the vote in 2008 , his last re-election ; Republican presidential candidate Sen. John McCain won the district by less than 1,000 votes . Murtha , a former Marine , also earned a reputation as one of Congress 's loudest anti-war voices . He initially supported the 2003 invasion of Iraq , but he stunned much of Washington when he called for a swift U.S. pullout in November 2005 , saying , `` U.S. and coalition troops have done all they can . ... It 's time for a change in direction . '' In 2006 , Murtha seemed on track to become the House Majority leader , but he lost to Rep. Steny Hoyer of Maryland . Murtha said he was subject to `` swift boat-style attacks '' on his ethics record , blasting critics who raised concerns about `` unfounded allegations that occurred 26 years ago . '' Born June 17 , 1932 , in West Virginia , Murtha moved with his family to Pennsylvania as a child . Before joining the House , he was in the Pennsylvania state Legislature . He also served 37 years in the Marines and Marine Corps Reserves . He retired from the Reserves in 1990 and received the Navy Distinguished Service Medal . Murtha attended Washington and Jefferson College , but dropped out in 1952 to enlist in the Marines . He later graduated from the University of Pittsburgh . He is survived by his wife , Joyce , and three children . CNN 's Kristi Keck , Elizabeth Cohen , Sabriya Rice and Rebecca Sinderbrand contributed to this report .
NEW : Source : This came from doctors hitting intestines during surgery . Murtha had represented Pennsylvania 's 12th Congressional District since ' 74 . Watchdog groups considered longtime incumbent one of ` ` the future of pork '' on Capitol Hill . Ex - Vietnam War veteran stunned Congress when he urged U.S. to pull out of Iraq in August .