Nvidia Scandal Hits Capitol Hill As Senator Wants Answers From Two Big Names

Senate Banking Committee Chairman Tim Scott (R-SC) is demanding testimony from former Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick as Congress investigates allegations that a businesswoman linked to the chipmaker may have helped China obtain sensitive American technology.

Scott sent letters Thursday requesting that Huang and Lutnick voluntarily appear at separate public hearings next month, warning that the committee could subpoena Huang if he refuses to cooperate.

“Recent reports raise serious concerns about our national security and the protection of sensitive U.S. technology,” Scott wrote in a post on X announcing the requests. “I am requesting that NVIDIA CEO Jensen Huang and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick testify before the Senate Banking Committee. The American people deserve answers.”

Scott asked Huang to appear on Dec. 3 and Lutnick on Dec. 10. The letters cite the committee’s authority over export controls and its responsibility to oversee the administration and enforcement of laws governing sensitive technology exports.

Huang resigned as Nvidia’s CEO Thursday as scrutiny intensified over his reported romantic relationship with Alice Huang, a businesswoman suspected by U.S. authorities of having ties to Chinese intelligence.

Alice Huang was an executive at Megaspeed, a Singapore-based company that U.S. officials have examined over allegations that it helped divert Nvidia chips to China.

In his letter to Huang, Scott said recent public reports raised “significant national security concerns” and warned that the committee was prepared to use “all tools at our disposal, including subpoenas,” if Huang did not appear voluntarily.

Scott’s letter to Lutnick focused on the Commerce Department’s role in regulating and enforcing restrictions on advanced semiconductor exports.

“Given the Department of Commerce’s central role in issuing and enforcing export control regulations, your testimony before the Committee will be essential to our oversight of these efforts,” Scott wrote.

The Commerce Department has reportedly resisted pressure from other agencies to place Megaspeed on a U.S. trade blacklist, while Commerce officials have faced questions about whether an investigation into the company stalled after Nvidia’s general counsel contacted the department. 

The controversy has put Lutnick under pressure from both parties and reportedly prompted discussions among senior White House officials about whether he should remain in his position, according to Politico.

House Republicans have also sought testimony, with three committee chairmen sending a second request Thursday for closed-door transcribed interviews with Huang on Dec. 1 and Nvidia General Counsel Tim Teter on Dec. 2. They warned that subpoenas could follow.

The House lawmakers also requested testimony from Commerce Under Secretary Jeffrey Kessler, whose office oversees sensitive technology exports.

The Justice Department has not concluded whether Alice Huang was a Chinese spy, Attorney General Todd Blanche said Thursday. China has also denied that she was involved in espionage. Alice Huang could not be reached for comment, according to Reuters. 

Huang and Lutnick had not publicly responded to Scott’s requests by Thursday evening. 

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