The assassination of former Pakistani Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto shocked and outraged two California’s lawmakers in Washington, D.C.

Both U.S. Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., and U.S. Rep. Tom Lantos, D-San Mateo, issued statements condemning Bhutto’s murder yesterday in Rawalpindi, Pakistan.

Bhutto, 54, had returned to Pakistan in October as leader of the opposition Pakistan Peoples Party. She was killed during a political rally, reportedly during a combined shooting and suicide bombing attack.

“She was a brave woman who had the courage to return to Pakistan in the face of death threats, and she survived a previous attack on her life just two months ago,” said Feinstein. “My heart and thoughts go out to her family and to the people of Pakistan, and I condemn this attack in the strongest possible terms,” she added.

Lantos, who chairs the Foreign Affairs Committee of the U.S. House of Representatives, called the assassination “a tragedy” and “a cowardly attack by extremist elements.”

“Madam Bhutto was a stalwart of moderation, a force for democratic values, and a personal friend,” Lantos said.

“It is up to all of us to make sure that those who have perpetrated this hideous act are brought to justice, and that those who continue to spew the venomous, hate-filled rhetoric of extremism are vanquished,” Lantos said.

Added Feinstein, “My hope and prayer is that the Pakistani people will pull together and allow the country to proceed on its road to democracy.”