Cory Booker slams Chris Christie with familiar attack over health care funding cut

In attacking Gov. Chris Christie at a rally Tuesday during the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, N.C., Newark Mayor Cory Booker revived an argument previously tested against the Truth-O-Meter: state funding cuts for family planning services.

Booker, who is considered a potential gubernatorial candidate to challenge Christie next year, blasted the Republican governor during a Planned Parenthood rally before his speech on the convention floor.

“The first budget that came out of our Republican leadership slashed funding to Planned Parenthood. It resulted in, it resulted in the reduction of hours, the elimination of days, elimination of access to women in my city and all over my state,” Booker told the crowd.

The mayor received a True.

PolitiFact New Jersey has tested similar claims in two previous fact checks.

In May 2011, state Sen. Loretta Weinberg (D-Bergen) claimed the funding cuts led to the closure of six of the state’s 58 family planning clinics. Weinberg received a True.

Former Democratic State Senate candidate Carl Lewis also referenced the funding cuts in attacking state Sen. Diane Allen (R-Burlington) during an October 2011 campaign appearance. Lewis accused Allen of receiving taxpayer-funded health care, while taking health care away from the public.

Lewis received a Mostly False.