- Rep. Jackie Walorski died Wednesday afternoon along with two staffers.
- Tributes came in from fellow House lawmakers and other top officials like Sec. Pete Buttigieg.
Lawmakers on both sides of the aisle and top officials throughout Washington expressed their sorrow on Wednesday after Rep. Jackie Walorski was killed in a car crash in her home state of Indiana.
"Today, we lost one of our greatest members," the Republican Study Committee said in a statement. "Jackie Walorski lived a life of public service and was a friend to all who knew her."
House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy confirmed reports that Walorski was killed in an accident as House lawmakers were on recess away from Washington. According to WSBT, her communications director, Emma Thomson, and Zachery Potts, Walorski's district director, were also killed in the accident.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi ordered the flags around the US Capitol to be flown at half-staff in honor of Walorski, Pelosi spokesman Drew Hammill announced on Twitter.
"A lifelong Hoosier, Congresswoman Walorski lived a life of service: whether caring for impoverished children in Romania, representing her community in the Indiana Statehouse or serving nearly a decade in the House," Pelosi said in a statement. "She passionately brought the voices of her north Indiana constituents to the Congress, and she was admired by colleagues on both sides of the aisle for her personal kindness."
House Minority Whip Steve Scalise recalled a "dear friend" who loved serving her state. While fellow Indiana Republican Rep. Jim Banks remembered a "true public servant –selfless, humble, and compassionate."
"She was a devout Christian, a passionate advocate for life, and a leader among Hoosier representatives. Everything Jackie did was to serve others," Banks said in a statement. " She had a heart of gold, and I will miss her dearly."
Republican Rep. Victoria Spartz mourned the loss of her delegation mate, calling her "a good friend and a strong fighter" online.
Former Vice President Mike Pence said that he and former second lady Karen Pence were "heartbroken" by the news.
".@KarenPence and I are heartbroken by the tragic passing of our dear friend Rep. Jackie Walorski. She served Indiana in the Statehouse and the Congress with integrity and principle for nearly two decades and will be deeply missed," Pence, who is a former Indiana governor, wrote on Twitter.
Former President Donald Trump added that she was a "wonderful woman."
"We worked together very closely, and I was privileged to know her for many years. May the families and loved ones of Jackie, Emma, and Zachery find comfort during this tragic time," Trump wrote on Truth social. "They will be greatly missed!"
Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, who previously served as Mayor of South Bend, Indiana, added his condolences as well.
"I'm shocked and saddened to hear of the tragic death of Congresswoman Jackie Walorski," Buttigieg wrote on Twitter. "My thoughts and prayers are with her family and the other victims of this terrible crash."
Sen. Tammy Duckworth, an Illinois Democrat wrote of Walorski: "Horrific news. Jackie was always willing to listen to my perspective even if we don't always vote the same way. Rest In Peace my friend."
Republican Rep. Virginia Foxx of North Carolina said it was "beyond heartbreaking" for Walorski to be gone. "She was a staunch conservative, a devoted public servant, and a dear friend to so many," Foxx wrote on Twitter.
Walorski was first elected to the House in 2012. Before serving in Congress, she served three terms in Indiana's statehouse. In the current Congress, Walorski was a member of the House Ways and Means Committee and was also the top Republican on the House Ethics Committee.