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Sen. Marsha Blackburn urged the National Basketball Association to use profits from the league's relationship with China to create a foundation dedicated to protecting human rights around the world.

"If Adam Silver does not extricate himself from the Chinese Communist Party, then the NBA is going to become the National Beijing Association in about 10 years," Blackburn said in a video posted to her Twitter account on Wednesday.

Blackburn, one of the most prominent critics of China in Congress, sent a letter to Silver, the NBA commissioner, late last month questioning the league's relationship with the country.

"While the NBA has worked hard to raise awareness of social issues at home, there is concern that the league has turned a blind eye to human rights abuses committed abroad—even bowing down to pressure last year," Blackburn's letter said. "The actions of the NBA and some players have created an appearance that your league prioritizes profit over principle."

Republicans and Democrats have been sharply critical of China in recent months for its suppression of pro-democracy protesters in Hong Kong, reported expansion of detention camps for the Uighur Muslim minorities in the country, and handling of the coronavirus outbreak.

“We write to urge you to hold a hearing examining the atrocities being committed by the Chinese Communist Party against religious minorities in that country,” said Rep. Glenn Grothman in demanding a hearing on what he called Uighur "genocide." “We must determine the extent of the CCP’s suppression of minorities, ensure that the administration is doing everything in its power to respond, and examine whether there is a need for additional legislation. It is time to shine a bright light on these atrocities and the actions of the CCP.”

Blackburn, a Republican from Tennessee, says she takes issue with the NBA reportedly continuing to operate a training center in Xinjiang, which she called "one of the world's worst humanitarian zones."

The state-run television network in China has also placed a ban on NBA games, and Blackburn asked to know what the financial ramifications for the league are.

Controversy between the league and China was sparked after Houston Rockets General Manager Daryl Morey sent a tweet last October that was supportive of the pro-democracy protesters in Hong Kong. The league has remained mostly silent about the demonstrations.

Silver said in February the NBA stands to lose hundreds of millions of dollars in revenue due to its fractured relationship with China.

"Take those profits, take the fines that you levy and collect during the season, use it to do good for human rights," Blackburn said.