The US Senate has sought testimony from former Nvidia chief executive Jensen Huang and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick over growing national security concerns surrounding the semiconductor giant, its China-related business and the handling of sensitive American technology.
Senate Banking Committee Chairman Tim Scott has requested that Huang and Lutnick appear before the committee to address questions raised by recent developments involving Nvidia and concerns over the protection of critical US technology.
“Recent reports raise serious concerns about our national security and the protection of sensitive US technology,” Scott wrote on X, adding that the American public deserved answers. He warned that he would consider issuing a subpoena if Huang declined to testify voluntarily, dw.com reports.
According to Politico, Scott has requested Huang’s testimony for December 3 and Lutnick’s for December 10. Lutnick has agreed to appear, NBC News reported, citing a Commerce Department spokesman. The Senate inquiry comes amid heightened scrutiny of Nvidia following reports that Huang had been targeted in what the company described as a possible foreign intelligence effort.
Huang subsequently resigned as chief executive, with Nvidia executive vice president and chief financial officer Colette Kress named interim CEO. The controversy has also drawn attention to the US administration’s oversight of advanced semiconductor exports to China and its handling of companies considered potential national security risks.
Lawmakers have criticised Lutnick over the administration’s refusal to add dozens of Chinese companies to a key US trade blacklist, as well as its supervision of Nvidia’s exports to China. Reuters also reported that the White House was discussing whether to remove the Commerce Secretary, citing two people familiar with the matter.
Separately, three Republican chairmen of House committees have asked Huang and Nvidia General Counsel Tim Teter to attend closed-door interviews on December 1 and 2, warning that subpoenas could follow if they fail to appear. “There are clear national security concerns that need to be addressed immediately,” the lawmakers said in their request, according to Reuters.
The parallel Senate and House inquiries place Nvidia’s leadership and the US government’s semiconductor export policies under intensified scrutiny, particularly as Washington seeks to protect sensitive technologies from potential foreign intelligence threats.
