Senate Banking Committee Chairman Tim Scott sent letters on Thursday to Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and former Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang, requesting that they testify regarding recent developments at the company. Scott stated on X that recent reports raise serious concerns about national security and the protection of sensitive US technology.
The request follows Huang's resignation from Nvidia, a major driver of the AI boom. Huang stepped down after reports emerged of a romantic relationship with a businesswoman named Alice Huang. US authorities suspect Alice Huang of spying for the Chinese government, though China has denied these allegations. US Attorney General Todd Blanche stated on Thursday that the Justice Department has not yet reached a conclusion on whether she is a spy.
Lawmakers have also criticized Lutnick for the administration's refusal to add dozens of Chinese companies to a key US trade blacklist, and over whether the government was properly overseeing Nvidia's exports to China. Scott indicated he would consider subpoenaing Huang if he does not voluntarily appear, stating, "The American people deserve answers."
Separately, senior White House officials were discussing whether Lutnick should be pushed out as the desire for action grows across Washington, according to two people familiar with the situation.
The chairs of three House committees, including Foreign Affairs Chair Brian Mast, wrote to Huang and Nvidia General Counsel Tim Teter. They required them to appear for closed-door transcribed interviews on December 1 and December 2, respectively, or face subpoenas. Mast, along with House China Select Committee Chair John Moolenaar and House Intelligence Committee Chair Rick Crawford, wrote that there are clear national security concerns that need to be addressed immediately. They also requested that Under Secretary of Commerce Jeffrey Kessler testify at a December 3 hearing.
The controversy has resulted in the loss of approximately $550 billion from Nvidia's market value over the past five days.
