Neil Gorsuch isn’t the only conservative legal thinker who has been appointed to a judicial bench during the new administration.  So far this year, 19 federal judges have been nominated by President Trump and confirmed by the Senate. Many of these vacancies have been filled in the last several months. This acceleration in confirmations is due largely to Senate Republican leaders working around roadblocks put in place by Senate Democrats to stop the appointment of judges who will faithfully interpret the Constitution and law, not attempt to “write law” from the bench.

Two of the most recent appointments to circuit courts have strong ties to the Family Policy Alliance network. Don Willett was recently confirmed to sit on the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals and is closely connected to Texas Values, Family Policy Alliance’s allied organization in Texas.

Also, Steve Grasz, who was confirmed to sit on the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals, was formerly on the board of the Nebraska Family Alliance and his son, Nate Grasz, now serves as the organization’s Policy Director.

Karen Bowling, Nebraska Family Alliance’s Executive Director, shared her congratulations to the Grasz family: “We congratulate Steve Grasz and his family on his confirmation to the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals. The U.S. Senate confirmed a constitutionalist with a proven public service record in Nebraska who will serve with integrity and judicial prudence for years to come.”

These men have shown a commitment to faithfully interpreting the Constitution, a record of interpreting the law rather than legislating from the bench, and an upstanding character and worldview. These two men should be an encouragement to all families to see judges in our country with this type of character restoring the proper role of the judiciary. And, these two men should be an encouragement to lawmakers working hard to pass good laws that protect families, life and religious freedom—with these two men, pro-family lawmakers do not have to fear that their good laws will be overturned by activist judges.