Lutnick agrees to congressional testimony as Nvidia scrutiny intensifies

Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick agreed Thursday to testify before Congress as Republicans and Democrats pressed for answers about Nvidia and the enforcement of restrictions on advanced chip exports. His decision followed requests from lawmakers concerned about whether U.S. technology had reached China in violation of export controls.

Senate Banking Committee Chairman Tim Scott, R-S.C., sent letters Thursday asking Lutnick to appear voluntarily on Dec. 10 and former Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang to testify on Dec. 3. Huang resigned earlier Thursday following reports of an affair with a suspected Chinese spy. Lutnick spokesperson Kristen Eichamer told NBC News that the secretary had voluntarily agreed to appear before the committee. Huang’s representatives did not immediately comment on Scott’s request.

Scott’s letter emphasized the Commerce Department’s responsibility for establishing and enforcing export restrictions, saying Lutnick’s testimony would be important to congressional oversight. Reports about Huang have intensified concerns that Nvidia chips could have been smuggled into China or accessed illegally by Chinese artificial intelligence companies. Nvidia says it follows U.S. export laws.

Several senators called for Lutnick to answer questions promptly. Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., said Thursday that a subpoena might be necessary if the secretary did not appear voluntarily, and questioned whether export controls had been loosened. Speaking to Fox News, Sen. Jim Banks, R-Ind., raised concerns about chips apparently being exported despite President Donald Trump’s orders to stop those shipments.

Sen. Kevin Cramer, R-N.D., also supported testimony, saying Lutnick should have the opportunity and strong encouragement to appear without a subpoena. Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., demanded an explanation for export control loopholes and called for immediate action to prevent advanced American technology from supporting China’s military.

The White House defended Lutnick, saying Trump retained full confidence in his leadership of the Commerce Department. Huang had previously spoken favorably about Lutnick’s involvement in American AI efforts. During a September 2025 Nvidia panel with the secretary, Huang described him as his most frequent contact within the administration and praised his growing understanding of the technology and industry.

Scrutiny has also spread to the House. In a letter Monday, Reps. Gregory Meeks of New York, Gabe Amo of Rhode Island and Sydney Kamlager-Dove of California, senior Democrats on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, sought answers about the administration’s approval of advanced AI chip exports. They cited concerns about connections to China and reports of possible Chinese intelligence ties involving Huang.

House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Brian Mast, R-Fla., said Thursday that Huang had agreed to brief lawmakers, with arrangements still under discussion. Mast subsequently requested a closed-door, transcribed interview on Dec. 1. His Thursday letter warned that Huang would face a subpoena unless he confirmed the interview by Friday evening.

Some senators want Lutnick to appear before the December hearings. Sen. Thom Tillis, R-N.C., urged him to provide facts before Thanksgiving. Tillis, who is leaving Congress in January, said the secretary would benefit from speaking while Republicans still control Congress, before Democrats take over both chambers next year. He said many Republicans remained supportive of Lutnick, while making clear that he did not count himself among them.