Rep. C.W. "Bill" Young, a former House Appropriations chairman whose 42 years in Congress make him the House's current longest-serving Republican member, is "gravely ill," a spokesman said Thursday.

However, he is not deceased as reported by Fox News' Gretchen Carlson on Thursday.

Young, 82, the longest-serving Republican in congress, has been at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, where last week he announced his retirement, effective after his current term expires in 2014. He was first elected in 1970.

Young's illness was attributed to back issues but it has become clear since then that he was in worse condition.

He is said to be surrounded by family and friends.

Carlson later apologized on the air for the error, and said that "Hopefully that won't happen again."