Updated: 4:27 p.m.

Rep. John Murtha (D-Pa.) is in stable condition but remains in intensive care after complications from gall bladder surgery landed him back in the hospital, his office said Wednesday afternoon.

He is not expected to return to work in the House until after lawmakers get back from their Presidents Day recess in three weeks, Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) told reporters on Wednesday afternoon. “He needs to take time to recover,” she said.

The 77-year-old lawmaker underwent scheduled surgery to remove his gall bladder at the Bethesda Naval Hospital last week, but the procedure apparently led to an infection, and he has since checked into the Virginia Hospital Center in Arlington.

“We’re pleased to hear that while in serious condition and in intensive care that Mr. Murtha seems to be improving,” said House Democratic Caucus Chairman John Larson (Conn.), a Murtha confidant. “He’s one strong, tough individual, so I have no doubt that he’s going to persevere and be back on his feet.”

Murtha, a 36-year House veteran, is set on Friday to become the Keystone State’s longest-serving Representative in the chamber.