Republican leaders request testimony from Nvidia's Jensen Huang and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick

Senate Banking Committee Chairman Tim Scott sent letters to Nvidia founder Jensen Huang and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick asking them to testify publicly before the committee. The request follows reports that Huang had an affair with Alice Huang, a Chinese national and tech executive at Megaspeed who is accused of espionage. Huang confirmed an affair but did not identify the other party.

Lawmakers said the relationship raises national-security questions given Huang’s role at the world’s largest chip maker. Commerce Department spokesperson Kristen Eichamer said Lutnick has agreed to appear voluntarily, though a date has not been set.

The Senate Banking Committee has asked Huang to appear on Dec. 3 and warned that a subpoena could be issued if he does not comply. House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Brian Mast, Intelligence Committee Chairman Rick Crawford and Select Committee Chairman John Moolenaar also sent a letter demanding written confirmation of Huang’s acceptance by 8 p.m. Friday, citing the possibility of a subpoena.

The three chairmen said reports about Huang, Nvidia and Megaspeed create “clear national-security concerns that need to be addressed immediately.” They also requested Nvidia general counsel Tim Teter to appear for a closed-door, transcribed interview on Dec. 2 regarding AI-chip smuggling, potential military use of Nvidia products by adversaries, and alleged interference with U.S. export-control policies.

Republican Sen. Kevin Cramer said he wants to see whether the allegations are true, while Sen. John Curtis said “we need answers and accountability” from Huang and Lutnick. Critics have accused Lutnick of delaying the addition of Megaspeed to a list of companies posing national-security risks, despite intelligence indicating the firm may have diverted Nvidia chips to China.