WASHINGTON -- U.S. Rep. John Murtha was released from the hospital this morning.

The Johnstown Democrat, 77, went to the National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda, Md., Sunday with abdominal pains, and doctors determined that he had problems with his gall bladder.

According to a spokesman, Mr. Murtha was discharged this morning and is expected to be on the House floor today to help shepherd his defense appropriations bill to final passage.

Washington correspondent Daniel Malloy writes the "Pittsburgh On The Potomac" blog exclusively at PG+, a members-only web site of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Our introduction to PG+ gives you all the details.