WASHINGTON—Heritage Foundation President Kay C. James issued the following statement on the news of former Sen. Mike Enzi’s (R-WY) death:

“The Heritage family was saddened to hear of the death of Sen. Mike Enzi. He was a principled conservative who believed in holding firm to his principles while finding common ground. He deftly pointed out that common ground and compromise were two different things. Compromise meant that both sides would give in to things that they didn’t like, producing legislation that no one liked. He proposed instead legislating based on common ground: ‘Often the best way to get something everyone can agree on is to leave out the things you don’t agree on and focus on what you can get done.’

“Even with all the vitriol in politics, he believed one should stay true to what one believed without treating others poorly, and in that regard, he led by example. That was how he changed hearts and minds.

“We would do well to follow Sen. Enzi’s sage advice in these polarized times in Washington and in our own communities.

“We are praying for peace for his wife, Diana, his children, and his entire family.”