Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick has agreed to appear before Congress this month amid bipartisan pressure over national security concerns surrounding the expanding Nvidia scandal.
The Senate Banking Committee sent letters to Lutnick and Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang requesting testimony on December 3 and December 10, respectively, focusing on alleged export control lapses and the department's role in regulating advanced chips.
Several senators from both parties, including Richard Blumenthal, Jim Banks, Kevin Cramer, and Thom Tillis, have called for swift testimony, with some urging Lutnick to appear before Thanksgiving to prevent a subpoena and to address concerns that export controls may have been relaxed.
Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang resigned earlier in the day amid reports linking him to a suspected Chinese spy, raising additional alarms about Chinese access to U.S. chip technology and prompting calls for tighter oversight.
House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Brian Mast has also secured a commitment from Huang for a closed-door interview on December 1, while Democratic leaders in the House have pressed Lutnick over alleged loopholes in export controls that may be aiding China's military.
The White House has defended Lutnick, maintaining confidence in his ability to lead the Commerce Department, while lawmakers warn that the testimony is essential to safeguard national security interests.