Democratic Rep. John P. Murtha, who represented Pennsylvania's 12th district for 36 years, died today at the age of 77. He died in an Arlington, Va. hospital with his family at his side after suffering complications from gallbladder surgery.

Murtha earned considerable influence in Congress as head of the powerful House Defense Appropriations subcommittee. He used his position of power to secure billions in federal tax dollars for his district, which has struggled with the widespread loss of coal and steel jobs, but came under intense scrutiny for his ties to companies for which he has secured earmarks.

Murtha, who joined Congress in 1974, was the first Vietnam War combat veteran elected to the House. After 19 terms, he was one of the longest-serving members of the House and the eighth-most senior member. He was also the longest-serving member from Pennsylvania.