Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick to testify before Senate on Nvidia security concerns

Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick has agreed to appear before lawmakers following escalating bipartisan calls for answers regarding national security matters connected to Nvidia, his office confirmed Thursday.

The decision comes amid intense congressional scrutiny into how advanced technology may have reached overseas competitors and whether export enforcement was improperly handled. Lutnick's spokesperson, Kristen Eichamer, told NBC News that the secretary proactively chose to voluntarily appear before the Senate Banking Committee to address the panel's inquiries.

Senate Banking Committee Chairman Tim Scott, a South Carolina Republican, formally invited Lutnick and former Nvidia chief executive Jensen Huang to testify in separate sessions. Scott scheduled Lutnick's appearance for Dec. 10 and requested Huang's presence on Dec. 3. In his correspondence, Scott highlighted the Commerce Department's vital role in crafting and supervising export rules, emphasizing that the panel needs to evaluate oversight measures following recent public disclosures.

The inquiry gained momentum after Huang stepped down as head of Nvidia on Thursday amid reports of an extramarital relationship with an individual suspected of being an intelligence operative for China. The controversy has deepened anxieties among lawmakers that advanced artificial intelligence hardware may have been improperly obtained or diverted to Chinese tech entities. Nvidia has maintained that its business activities follow all American export statutes.

Lawmakers across the political spectrum voiced strong support for questioning the Commerce leader. Connecticut Democrat Richard Blumenthal told reporters that Lutnick should speak to Congress voluntarily to clarify whether export controls were relaxed, cautioning that a subpoena could follow if he resisted. Indiana Republican Jim Banks told Fox News that legislators require prompt answers regarding semiconductor shipments that may have violated directives to halt such transfers.

Pressure also mounted in the House of Representatives. Key Democrats on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, including Gregory Meeks, Gabe Amo and Sydney Kamlager-Dove, sent Lutnick a letter earlier in the week demanding an explanation for approved advanced AI chip exports. Meanwhile, House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Brian Mast, a Florida Republican, pressed Huang to sit for a transcribed interview behind closed doors, warning of a potential subpoena.

The White House stood firmly behind Lutnick on Thursday, issuing a statement affirming full confidence in his performance and describing him as a transformative cabinet official. Lutnick and Huang had previously maintained close professional communication, with the former executive speaking publicly in late 2025 about frequently consulting Lutnick on semiconductor developments.

Some senators argued that waiting until December was inadequate. North Carolina Republican Thom Tillis urged Lutnick to meet with lawmakers before Thanksgiving to lay out the facts, pointing out that an earlier briefing would benefit the administration before upcoming leadership shifts in Congress.