FACTBOX: Supreme Court adds to its abortion rulings

(Reuters) - The U.S. Supreme Court by a 5-4 vote upheld on Wednesday the Partial-Birth Abortion Ban Act of 2003, the first nationwide ban on a specific abortion procedure. Following are some of its other major abortion rulings.

-- In its landmark Roe v. Wade decision in 1973, the court ruled by a 7-2 vote that women have a constitutional right to choose an abortion, making abortions legal throughout the nation.

-- In 1976, the court struck down a Missouri abortion law that required the consent of a woman's husband or in some instances even her parents.

-- In 1989, the court by a 5-4 vote approved significant new restrictions in abortion law, including allowing the states to ban public funds for abortion and to prohibit abortions at public facilities or by public workers.

-- In 1992, the court by a 5-4 vote reaffirmed the central holding from Roe that women have a basic constitutional right to an abortion, but allowed some new restrictions as long as they do not pose an "undue burden" on pregnant women.

-- In 2000, the court by a 5-4 vote struck down a similar Nebraska "partial birth abortion" law for failing to provide an exception to protect a pregnant woman's health.

But Wednesday's ruling reflected the change in the court's composition, with retired moderate Justice Sandra Day O'Connor, who cast the decisive vote to strike down the Nebraska law, replaced by the more conservative Justice Samuel Alito, who was appointed by President George W. Bush.