In 1970, the Presbyterian General Assemblies of both the PCUS and UPCUSA declared that "the artificial or induced termination of pregnancy is a matter of the careful ethical decision of the patient, . . . and therefore should not be restricted by law . . . (PCUSA, 1970, p. 891).  Both Assemblies stressed that abortion was a serious matter requiring careful ethical decision and that the moral choice to continue or to terminate a pregnancy should be opened to all women, not just the affluent.  The 1972 UPCUSA Assembly supported an enhanced abortion counseling effort and again declared that ". . . women should have full freedom of personal choice concerning the completion or termination of their pregnancies. . ." (UPCUSA, 1972, p. 266).  The PCUS Assembly reaffirmed its position on the issue in 1971, 1972 and 1974 (PCUS, 1971, p. 101; PCUS, 1972, p. 182; PCUS, 1974, pp. 83 & 164), and in 1978, it framed the abortion choice question in terms of religious freedom, urging federal and state governments to guarantee equal access to abortion rights by insuring public funding for those unable to pay their own abortion costs (PCUS, 1978, pp. 91 & 192).

   In 1979, in almost identically worded statements, the General Assemblies of both churches opposed attempts to constitutionally limit or prohibit abortions or access to contraceptives as ". . . attempts to establish one religious doctrine as law. . ."  (UPCUSA, 1979, p. 434; PCUS, 1979, p. 236).  The 1980 UPCUSA Assembly raised the need of the church to minister effectively and compassionately to those involved in problem pregnancies as a deep concern (UPCUSA, 1980, p. 68).  The same year's PCUS Assembly summarized its position on abortion to make clear its affirmation of both moral choice and the sanctity of human life (PCUS, 1980, p. 222).  The 1982 PCUS Assembly affirmed its continued participation in the Religious Coalition for Abortion Rights and issued programmatic directives to the Mission Board for its work in the area of reproductive freedom (PCUS, 1982, p. 127).  In 1983, the newly combined church's Assembly adopted a major policy statement on Covenant and Creation:  Theological Reflections on Contraception and Abortion, which declared ". . . there is no point in the course of pregnancy when the moral issue of abortion is insignificant . . . " but also acknowledged that abortion ". . . may be at times the most responsible decision. . ."  (PC(USA), 1983, p. 367).  The 1983 statement was reaffirmed by the Assemblies of 1984, 1985, and 1986.  (PC(USA), 1984, p. 56; PC(USA), 1985, p. 81; PC(USA), 1986, p. 641).  In 1986, the General Assembly, in two separate actions, called upon Presbyterians to support crisis pregnancy ministries to provide alternatives to abortion, and deplored the harassment of women seeking abortions and terrorism directed at abortion clinics  (PC(USA), 1986, pp. 810 and 641).  In 1987, the General Assembly reaffirmed its previous positions in its Resolution on Reproductive Rights excerpted below.  In 1988, the General Assembly ordered work to begin on a new study of moral and theological perspectives on abortion. (PC(USA), 1988, p. 1015).

   While the Special Committee on Problem Pregnancies and Abortion worked to complete its report for the 204 General Assembly (1992), the U.S. Supreme Court chipped away at Roe v. Wade.  In one decision, Rust v. Sullivan (May 23, 1991), the court gave the managers of medical professionals permission to restrict information on abortion.  A commissioners resolution noted that such restrictions are ". . . imposed arbitrarily by reason of sex and poverty, and thereby poor women are denied equal protection under the law," are ". . . governmentally imposed speech restrictions based on the religious view of some that life begins at conception . . ." and are an unnecessary intervention into the patient-physician relationship.  (PC(USA), 1991, p. 1,035)

   In 1992, the 204th General Assembly adopted the report of the Special Committee on Problem Pregnancies and Abortion, Do Justice, Love Mercy, Walk Humbly (Micah 6.8), which stated that ". . . [t]he considered decision of a woman to terminate a pregnancy can be a morally acceptable . . . decision," and also ". . . affirm[ed] that abortion should not be used as a method of birth control. . ." (PC(USA), 1992, p. 368).  The Assembly also adopted recommendations from the Board of Pensions on "capturing dues for relief of conscience for alternative use," and approved an additional recommendation the use of such dues (PC(USA), 1992, p. 808 and 97).

   The 205th General Assembly (1993) continued its support of reporductive choice in its adoption of two commissioners' resolutions.  The first affirmed the Freedom of Choice Act of 1993, instructing ". . . the Stated Clerk to communicate this action to the president of the United States [and others] . . . and encourage[ing] Presbyterians to contact their senators in support for this bill . . ."  (PC(USA), 1993, p. 945).  The second resolution supported the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances Act (FACE).  The Assembly expressed ". . . concern for those patients, staff, owners, and churches experiencing harassment and threats" and stated ". . . that, while the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) highly affirms freedom of speech and encourages diologue . . . between persons of opposing views, the General Assembly deplores the disruption of worship activities . . . other activities of churches whose membership includes patients, staff, and/or owners of clinics . . ." (PC(USA), 1993, p. 946).