Politicians react to Carrie Fisher’s death

“It is with a very deep sadness that Billie Lourd confirms that her beloved mother Carrie Fisher passed away at 8:55 this morning,” her publicist, Simon Halls, said in a statement. “She was loved by the world and she will be missed profoundly.”

Fisher, best remembered for her role as Princess Leia in the “Star Wars” movies, had been hospitalized since Friday, after suffering a heart attack on her way back to Los Angeles from London.

Reacting to the news, congressional lawmakers and political figures around the world took to Twitter to pay tribute to the iconic actress.

Rep. Justin Amash, R-Mich., was one of the first lawmakers to pay his tribute. “May her memory be eternal,” he tweeted.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau tweeted: “We’ll never forget you, Carrie. May the Force be with you always.”

Rep. Jared Polis, D-Colo., an ardent fan of the “Star Wars” movies, said: “Rest in peace Carrie Fisher: turbulent life but a great star, writer and space princess.”

Sen. Cory Gardner, R-Colo., tweeted: “Light speed Princess Leia. Rest In Peace Carrie Fisher. You will be missed.”

Democratic National Committee acting chairwoman Donna Brazile said: “RIP #CarrieFisher. Heartbroken. Great humanitarian, author and actress.”

A few congressmen remembered Fisher for her work as a strong mental health advocate. The actress, who was diagnosed with bipolar disorder at 24, was open about her battle with addiction, alcoholism and mental illness for many years.

Rep. Donald Norcross, D-N.J., remembered Fisher’s advocacy to mental illness and addiction. “Saddened to learn of loss of @carrieffisher -she will be remembered for work on #StarWars and for advocacy on #addiction & #mentalillness.”

Democratic Rep. Tim Ryan of Ohio, who challenged Nancy Pelosi for the House minority leader post, called the iconic actress an inspiration. “Her mental health advocacy was as courageous as the characters she portrayed.”

In a CNN interview, Rep. Tim Murphy, R-Pa., praised Fisher’s work to lessen the stigma toward mental health disorders. Murphy said what she did was very important, “her life was also pretty much a story of what happens to someone with a life of addiction, trying to self-medicate … she faced those same turmoils, she came at it courageously.”

FCC Commissioner Ajit Pai, referring to Fisher’s portrayal as Marie in the Oscar-nominated movie “When Harry Met Sally,” said her work was “brilliant.”

Reps. Emanuel Chris Welch, D-Ill.; Bob Cortes, R-Fla.; and Drew Hansen, D-Wash., expressed their shock to the news of her death.