Scott Seeks Testimony From Nvidia’s Former CEO and Commerce Secretary

On November 12, Senate Banking Committee Chairman Tim Scott asked former Nvidia chief executive Jensen Huang and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick to appear at separate public hearings next month. Scott requested Huang for December 3 and Lutnick for December 10, citing the committee’s oversight of export controls and sensitive technology exports.

Scott warned Huang that the committee could use subpoenas if he did not testify voluntarily. He said information concerning Huang’s ties to Alice Huang, a Singaporean business leader whom U.S. officials suspect has connections to Chinese intelligence, raised national security concerns. Jensen Huang stepped down as Nvidia’s CEO on November 12.

Alice Huang previously held an executive role with Megaspeed, a company headquartered in Singapore that U.S. officials examined over allegations it helped divert Nvidia chips to China. The Commerce Department has faced questions about its handling of the company and export restrictions. Scott said Lutnick’s testimony would help the committee oversee the department’s enforcement work.

House Republicans have separately sought closed-door interviews with Jensen Huang and Nvidia General Counsel Tim Teter on December 1 and 2, and requested testimony from Commerce Under Secretary Jeffrey Kessler. They also warned subpoenas could follow.

Attorney General Todd Blanche said on November 12 that the Justice Department had not determined whether Alice Huang was a Chinese spy. China denied she was involved in espionage. Jensen Huang and Lutnick had yet to respond publicly to Scott’s appeal as of November 12.

Congress Must Probe How Chip Exports to China Were Handled

A national security investigation into alleged diversion of Nvidia chips to China now reaches the Commerce Department, and Senator Tim Scott wants answers from Secretary Howard Lutnick. On November 12, the Senate Banking Committee chairman requested Lutnick testify on December 10, alongside a December 3 appearance by former Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang.

The scrutiny centers on Megaspeed, a Singapore-based company examined over allegations it helped route Nvidia chips to China. Its former executive Alice Huang is suspected by U.S. authorities of links to Chinese intelligence, though Attorney General Todd Blanche said on November 12 the Justice Department had not decided whether she was a spy. China denies she was involved in espionage.

The Commerce Department’s role in enforcing export limits makes its decisions central to the inquiry. The department has faced questions over its handling of Megaspeed, including whether an investigation stalled after Nvidia’s general counsel contacted it. Scott says the public deserves answers about safeguards for sensitive American technology.

Scott warned Jensen Huang that the committee could subpoena him if he declined to testify. House Republicans are also seeking interviews with Huang and Nvidia General Counsel Tim Teter, and testimony from Commerce Under Secretary Jeffrey Kessler. The hearings will test whether export controls are being enforced effectively as Congress examines the allegations.

Scott Demands Answers on China Chip Allegations and Commerce Oversight

Senator Tim Scott is pressing Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick to explain how the government enforces restrictions on advanced chip exports, as allegations around Nvidia raise national security questions. On November 12, Scott requested a December 10 public hearing with Lutnick and a December 3 appearance by former Nvidia chief Jensen Huang.

Scott warned Huang that a subpoena could follow if he refuses to testify voluntarily. The committee is examining accounts of Huang’s connections to Alice Huang, a Singaporean business leader whom U.S. officials suspect has links to Chinese intelligence. The Justice Department has not concluded that she was a spy, Attorney General Todd Blanche said on November 12, and China denies her involvement in espionage.

The inquiry also concerns Megaspeed, a Singapore-based company whose former executive was Alice Huang. U.S. officials have examined allegations that Megaspeed helped divert Nvidia chips to China. The Commerce Department has come under scrutiny over its response, and Scott says its role in issuing and enforcing export rules makes Lutnick’s testimony essential.

Congress should establish whether controls meant to protect sensitive technology are being properly administered. House Republicans are pursuing interviews with Huang and Nvidia General Counsel Tim Teter, as well as testimony from Commerce Under Secretary Jeffrey Kessler. The separate Senate requests add pressure for the administration and Nvidia’s former leadership to answer lawmakers’ questions.