Religious freedom advocates and pro-life groups are expressing enthusiasm over 20 names President Donald Trump added yesterday to his list of potential Supreme Court nominees.

Leading up to the 2016 election, Trump released his first list of possible justices. Political observers have noted that the names on that list were a crucial factor in Trump’s winning the evangelical vote and the presidency. Yesterday’s additions marked the third time he has updated his list.

The new names include three sitting Republican senators: Tom Cotton of Arkansas, Ted Cruz of Texas and Josh Hawley of Missouri. Others include Kentucky Attorney General Daniel Cameron, former U.S. Solicitors General Noel Francisco and Paul Clement, and Allison Jones Rushing, a judge on the 4th Circuit Court of Appeals who has previously clerked for both Justice Clarence Thomas and then-Judge Neil Gorsuch on the 10th Circuit Court of Appeals.

“Over the next four years, America’s president will choose hundreds of federal judges and in all likelihood, one, two, three, and even four Supreme Court justices,” Trump said in announcing the names. “The outcome of these decisions will determine whether we hold fast to our nation’s founding principles or whether they are lost forever.”

Pro-life advocate Christina Bennett told LifeNews: “President Trump has been the best president the pro-life movement has ever had, and we are again thrilled to see his list of potential Supreme Court selections. A nation can be measured by how it protects the most vulnerable, and a Supreme Court which protects the unborn is of paramount importance.”

Kelly Shackelford, president, CEO and chief counsel to First Liberty Institute, also praised Trump’s choices. “There are few issues of greater importance in the upcoming election than that of potential nominations to the Supreme Court of the United States,” he said. “President Trump’s record on judicial nominations during his first term has been nothing short of astounding, with a record number of judges dedicated to originalist Constitutional principles nominated and confirmed to the federal judiciary. His list today continues to fulfill his promise to nominate excellent judges who are committed to protecting the freedom of all Americans.”

Following is a complete list of the new names:

• Bridget Bade (U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit)
• Daniel Cameron (Kentucky attorney general)
• Paul Clement (former solicitor general of the United States)
• Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas)
• Ted Cruz (R-Texas)
• Stuart Kyle Duncan (U.S. Court of Appeals for the 5th Circuit)
• Steven Engel (Office of Legal Counsel, U.S. Department of Justice)
• Noel Francisco (former solicitor general of the United States)
• Josh Hawley (R-Missouri)
• James Ho (U.S. Court of Appeals for the 5th Circuit)
• Greg Katsas (U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit)
• Barbara Lagoa (U.S. Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit)
• Christopher Landau (U.S. ambassador to Mexico)
• Carlos Muñiz (Supreme Court of Florida)
• Martha Pacold (U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois)
• Peter Phipps (U.S. Court of Appeals for the 3rd Circuit)
• Sarah Pitlyk (U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri)
• Allison Jones Rushing (U.S. Court of Appeals for the 4th Circuit)
• Kate Todd (deputy White House counsel)
• Lawrence Van Dyke (U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit)

Photo: Tia Dufour/Official White House photo