Former Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang and Commerce Secretary Summoned To Testify Infront Of Congress

Former Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick have been called to testify before the Senate Banking Committee next month as lawmakers investigate national security concerns tied to Huang’s abrupt departure from the chipmaking giant.

The summonses come hours after Huang resigned on Thursday, capping a turbulent week that wiped $550 billion (£415 billion) off Nvidia's market value, its steepest five-day drop since going public 27 years ago. Chief Financial Officer Colette Kress has stepped in as interim CEO while the company searches for a permanent successor.

Senate Banking Chair Tim Scott sent letters to both men requesting their appearances at separate hearings in December. Addressing the controversy on social media, the South Carolina Republican wrote:

"Recent reports raise serious concerns about our national security and the protection of sensitive US technology. The American people deserve answers."

Scott requested that Huang appear voluntarily on December 3rd, warning that the panel could issue a subpoena to compel his testimony. Three House committees covering intelligence, foreign affairs, and China have also summoned the former executive for a closed-door, transcribed interview on December 1st.

Huang’s resignation followed revelations of two extramarital relationships. Earlier in the week, the longtime executive admitted to being "unfaithful" to his wife of 40 years after reports emerged linking him to Alice Huang (no relation), an executive at Singapore-based firm Megaspeed who is suspected of acting as an intelligence asset for Beijing, an allegation that China has dismissed as a smear.

While internal staff reportedly brushed off the initial news, shockwaves rippled through the company after subsequent reports linked Huang to a second relationship with long-time Nvidia executive Kimberly Powell.

Nvidia previously announced an independent inquiry into whether its chief executive had been "the target of a foreign intelligence effort," though the company maintained it has "no reason to believe that either national security or Nvidia secrets were compromised". U.S. Attorney General Todd Blanche also noted on Thursday that the Department of Justice had not yet reached any conclusions regarding espionage allegations.

Meanwhile, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick has been asked to testify at a December 10th hearing over the government's handling of semiconductor export controls. Unnamed administration officials have recently briefed media alleging that Lutnick stalled efforts to tighten restrictions on exporting advanced AI chips to China.

In his letter to the cabinet official, Senator Scott underscored the importance of congressional oversight:

"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. Recent developments underscore the significant national security and economic interests at stake and the need for timely, substantive engagement with Congress."

A Commerce Department spokesperson confirmed that Lutnick "has proactively agreed to appear voluntarily before the Banking Committee to address their questions."