Senate Banking Committee summons Jensen Huang over chip export controls

Senator Tim Scott, chairman of the Senate Banking Committee, wrote to former Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang on November 12 requesting his voluntary appearance at a public hearing on December 3. The letter cites public reports raising what Scott describes as "significant national security concerns" and warns the committee will seek subpoenas if Huang declines.

Separately, the Republican chairs of the House Foreign Affairs, China, and Intelligence committees wrote to Huang and Nvidia General Counsel Tim Teter requesting closed-door transcribed interviews on December 1 and 2 respectively, with a Friday evening deadline to agree or face compulsion. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick was also summoned, to appear before the Senate Banking Committee on December 10; a Lutnick spokesperson said he had agreed voluntarily.

At the centre of both inquiries is Megaspeed, a Singapore-based Nvidia customer that U.S. officials suspect of helping Chinese firms circumvent restrictions on advanced AI chips. Huang resigned as Nvidia's CEO on Thursday after thirty-three years, with CFO Colette Kress serving as interim CEO.