Senate Banking Committee Chair Requests Testimony from Nvidia CEO and Commerce Secretary

Senate Banking Committee Chairman Tim Scott wrote on X that recent reports have raised "serious concerns about our national security and the protection of sensitive US technology" and that he is requesting Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick testify before the committee. Scott said he may subpoena Huang if he does not appear voluntarily, adding that "the American people deserve answers."

The letters follow reports that Jensen Huang stepped down from Nvidia after allegations of a romantic relationship with Alice Huang, whom U.S. authorities suspect of spying for China. The Justice Department has not yet concluded whether Alice Huang is a spy, and she could not be reached for comment.

Lawmakers have also criticized Lutnick for the administration’s decision not to add dozens of Chinese firms to a key U.S. trade blacklist and for oversight of Nvidia’s exports to China. Senior White House officials are reportedly discussing whether Lutnick should be removed from his post.

In a separate move, chairs of three House committees, including the Foreign Affairs Committee chair Brian Mast, sent letters to Jensen Huang and Nvidia general counsel Tim Teter demanding closed-door, transcribed interviews on Dec. 1 and Dec. 2, with the threat of subpoenas. The letters also asked Under Secretary of Commerce Jeffrey Kessler to testify at a Dec. 3 hearing. Spokespeople for Huang and Lutnick were not immediately available.