The life of former South African President Nelson Mandela was met with nearly universal praise from U.S. politicians Thursday, after his death at the age of 95.

"Nelson Mandela's legacy of peaceful reconciliation in the struggle against apartheid lives on to inspire people around the world," Republican California Rep. Darrell Issa said.

"Nelson Mandela's compassion and humility in the face of overwhelming adversity remains an inspiration," said North Carolina Republican Sen. Richard Burr.

"RIP Nelson Mandela," tweeted Iowa Sen. Chuck Grassley.

But at the time of Mandela's first visit to the United States in 1990, which came five months after spending 27 years in prison, his legacy was hotly debated among members of Congress with conservative politicians typically cautioning against Mr. Mandela.