Former Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick are being called to testify before Congress, as lawmakers in both chambers press for answers on Nvidia's AI chip sales to China. Senate Banking Committee Chairman Tim Scott sent letters to both men on Thursday, Nov. 12, asking them to appear publicly, and three House committee chairs have separately demanded closed-door interviews.
The requests follow Huang's resignation as Nvidia CEO earlier this week, after reports of a romantic relationship with Alice Huang, an executive at Megaspeed whom US authorities suspect of spying for China. China denies she is a spy. Attorney General Todd Blanche said Thursday that the Justice Department has not reached a conclusion, and Alice Huang could not be reached for comment.
“Recent reports raise serious concerns about our national security and the protection of sensitive U.S. technology”— Tim Scott, Chairman of the Senate Banking Committee
The Banking Committee wants Jensen Huang to appear on Dec. 3, and Scott said he would consider a subpoena if Huang does not come voluntarily. Huang has agreed to testify before Congress before Thanksgiving, and Nvidia's board named CFO Colette Kress interim CEO when it accepted his resignation.
Key facts
- 01Senate Banking Chair Tim Scott sent letters on Nov. 12 asking Jensen Huang and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick to testify publicly.
- 02The Banking Committee wants Huang to appear on Dec. 3; Scott said he would consider a subpoena if Huang does not appear voluntarily.
- 03House chairs Brian Mast, Rick Crawford and John Moolenaar asked Huang for a Dec. 1 interview and Nvidia GC Tim Teter for Dec. 2.
- 04Commerce says Lutnick has agreed to appear voluntarily before the Banking Committee; no date has been set.
- 05Megaspeed, the Nvidia customer at the center of the probe, has bought more than $4.8 billion in Nvidia AI chips since June 2024.
On the House side, Foreign Affairs Chairman Brian Mast, Intelligence Chairman Rick Crawford and China Select Committee Chairman John Moolenaar asked Huang to sit for a transcribed interview on Dec. 1 and Nvidia General Counsel Tim Teter to appear on Dec. 2. The letter asked for written confirmation by 8 p.m. Friday and warned that failure to cooperate would lead to a subpoena. The three chairs also asked Jeff Kessler, Under Secretary of Commerce for Industry and Security, to testify at a Dec. 3 hearing on chip smuggling and adversary use of advanced AI chips.
“There are clear national security concerns that need to be addressed immediately”— Brian Mast, House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman, in a joint letter
Lutnick faces questions over Megaspeed, an Nvidia customer that has bought more than $4.8 billion in Nvidia AI chips since June 2024. US intelligence indicated Megaspeed may have diverted Nvidia chips to China, which the company denies. Lawmakers have accused Lutnick of delaying Megaspeed's addition to a national security trade list, and the US has posted no additions to that list since October 2025.
The Commerce Department said Lutnick will cooperate with the Senate panel, though it is not yet clear when he will appear. Earlier Thursday, a White House official said President Trump maintains complete confidence in Lutnick and his ability to do the job.
“Secretary Lutnick has proactively agreed to appear voluntarily before the Banking Committee to address their questions”— Kristen Eichamer, Commerce Department spokesperson
Democrats are running parallel efforts. Sen. Ron Wyden and Rep. Richard Neal wrote to Lutnick on Thursday saying they are investigating approvals of Nvidia chip sales to Chinese companies with links to the government, military and sanctioned entities. Sens. Elizabeth Warren and Chris Coons asked Lutnick, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and White House chief of staff Stephen Miller to preserve documents on Nvidia's advanced AI chip exports to China. Warren is set to chair the Senate Banking Committee in January.
Some Republicans are holding off on conclusions. Sen. Kevin Cramer told reporters he wants to see whether the allegations are true and hear what Huang has to say. Sen. John Curtis said on social media that lawmakers need answers and accountability from Huang and Lutnick immediately.
Nvidia did not respond to requests for comment on the congressional letters, and spokespeople for Huang and Lutnick could not be reached. If Huang agrees to both requests, he would sit for the House interview on Dec. 1 and appear before the Senate Banking Committee on Dec. 3, the same day Kessler is asked to testify on chip smuggling.
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