WASHINGTON — A Tennessee congresswoman has called on Planned Parenthood to “fully repudiate” a lobbyist's remarks that appeared to endorse the right to kill born babies who survive botched abortions.

“It is beyond question that babies born alive, despite being targeted for abortion, are entitled to full legal protection,” Rep. Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn., told Planned Parenthood's president, Cecile Richards, in an April 3 letter.

“Any organization receiving taxpayer funding should not lobby in support of expanding abortions, especially controversial propositions like infanticide,” she added.

She said that Planned Parenthood had publicly argued “that the rights of American citizens are not even bestowed upon birth, but, rather, at an arbitrary time that benefits your abortion agenda.”

Blackburn's comments come in response to the words of Alisa LaPolt Snow, a lobbyist representing the Florida Alliance of Planned Parenthood Affiliates.

Last week, during discussion of a bill to protect infants born alive during an abortion, she told a Florida State House committee that her organization believes there is a right to kill a baby who has been born.

Florida State Rep. Jim Boyd, R-Bradenton, had asked, “If a baby is born on a table as a result of a botched abortion, what would Planned Parenthood want to have happen to that child who is struggling for life?”

Snow replied: “We believe that any decision that's made should be left up to the woman, her family and the physician.”

Blackburn voiced “shock and concern” at the comments. She said it is her “sincere hope” that the national organization will “fully repudiate that radical position and hold your lobbyist fully accountable.”

The Florida Alliance of Planned Parenthood Affiliates on April 4 said the organization “strongly condemns any physician who does not follow the law or endangers a woman’s or child’s health.” It said that if the scenario addressed by the proposed legislation takes place, “of course a Planned Parenthood doctor would provide appropriate care to both the woman and the infant.”

The association claimed that “biased media outlets” had reported its position “inaccurately.”

Blackburn has asked Planned Parenthood to clarify when it believes Americans receive their constitutional rights and at what point a child’s life deserves legal protection.

Planned Parenthood is the largest abortion provider in the U.S. Though direct federal funding for abortions is against the law, the organization receives federal funding for other services it provides.