13 November 2026 (Navroze Bureau) The US Senate Banking Committee has called on Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and former Nvidia chief executive Jensen Huang to testify before lawmakers amid growing concerns over the export of advanced artificial intelligence (AI) chips to China and the government’s oversight of sensitive technology.
Senate Banking Committee Chairman Tim Scott has sent letters to both Lutnick and Huang requesting their appearances at upcoming committee proceedings. The move adds to mounting congressional scrutiny of Nvidia, its business relationships and the federal government’s enforcement of restrictions on advanced semiconductor exports.
According to reports, Scott has asked Huang to appear before the committee on December 3, while Lutnick has been requested to testify on December 10. The committee has indicated that it could use subpoenas if either individual declines to appear voluntarily.
Scott said recent developments had raised serious questions about national security and the protection of sensitive American technology. Lawmakers want to understand whether existing export controls were properly enforced and whether any gaps allowed advanced US-made chips to reach Chinese organisations.
The inquiry comes after Huang stepped down as Nvidia’s chief executive following reports about his personal relationship with Alice Huang, an executive associated with Singapore-based technology company Megaspeed International. US authorities reportedly suspect that Alice Huang had links to Chinese intelligence. These allegations have not been established as proven facts, and the investigation has raised questions that lawmakers now want to examine.
Nvidia has become a central company in the global artificial intelligence industry because its high-performance processors are widely used to develop and operate advanced AI systems. The possibility that restricted chips may have been diverted to China has therefore attracted attention from lawmakers concerned about the military and strategic applications of the technology.
Focus on Megaspeed and Possible Chip Diversion
A major part of the congressional inquiry concerns Megaspeed International, a Singapore-based company that reportedly purchased more than $4.8 billion worth of advanced Nvidia AI chips since June 2024. Reports have raised concerns that some chips purchased by the company may have been redirected to Chinese entities, potentially bypassing US export restrictions.
The US Department of Justice is reportedly investigating whether Nvidia chips were diverted to China in violation of export-control rules. The Commerce Department had also examined the company’s activities, but questions have emerged about how that investigation was handled and whether sufficient action was taken.
Senators want to establish what federal officials knew about the company’s activities, when they became aware of potential risks and whether decisions within the administration affected enforcement. They are also expected to examine communications between Nvidia executives and senior government officials.
The issue is particularly important because the Commerce Department is responsible for administering key export controls on sensitive American technology. Its Bureau of Industry and Security oversees restrictions designed to prevent advanced chips and other strategic products from reaching entities considered a national security risk.
Criticism of Lutnick has increased over the administration’s handling of companies suspected of posing risks to US national security. One point of concern is the government’s failure to add several Chinese companies to the Commerce Department’s Entity List, a trade blacklist that restricts access to American technology.
Reuters reported that the United States had not added new companies to the list since October 2025, marking an unusually long gap. Lawmakers have questioned whether concerns about trade relations with China influenced decisions on export enforcement.
Democrats Demand Records and Explanations
Democratic senators Elizabeth Warren and Chris Coons have separately called on the administration to preserve documents and communications connected to Nvidia’s advanced chip exports to China.
In a letter sent to Lutnick, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and White House Chief of Staff Stephen Miller, the senators requested that government offices retain relevant records. They also sought confirmation that preservation instructions had been issued and requested a congressional briefing on the national security implications.
Warren and Coons said the reported circumstances raised concerns about the government’s ability to enforce export controls and protect sensitive technology. They want lawmakers to examine communications involving Nvidia executives, investigations into possible chip diversion and decisions concerning restrictions on advanced AI technology.
The senators’ request is part of a wider effort to establish whether government agencies responded appropriately to intelligence and law-enforcement concerns. Their focus extends beyond Huang’s reported personal relationship to the broader question of whether US technology may have been exposed to unauthorised access.
Republican lawmakers have also called for answers. The issue has attracted bipartisan attention because restrictions on advanced semiconductor technology are closely linked to US national security and competition with China.
House Committees Also Seek Huang’s Cooperation
The Senate Banking Committee is not the only congressional body seeking information from Huang and Nvidia. Three House committee chairs have also requested that Huang participate in a closed-door interview in December.
The House panels are examining potential national security risks, the possibility of chip diversion and the government’s handling of export restrictions. They have also sought information from Nvidia’s general counsel, Tim Teter, and requested testimony from Commerce Department Under Secretary Jeffrey Kessler.
The House investigation is expected to examine whether private-sector communications or other interventions affected government investigations into suspected violations of export controls.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune has also indicated support for congressional scrutiny of the matter. Other lawmakers have argued that Huang should answer questions about the company’s relationships and the possible implications for US technology security.
At the same time, some members of Congress have cautioned against allowing the controversy surrounding Huang’s personal life to overshadow the central policy questions. They want the investigation to remain focused on export rules, enforcement and the protection of sensitive technology.
What the Investigation Could Mean for Nvidia
The congressional scrutiny could have implications for Nvidia’s business relationships, its dealings with government agencies and the future of US restrictions on semiconductor exports to China.
Nvidia’s advanced processors are essential to the development of powerful AI systems. Washington has imposed restrictions on the sale of certain high-performance chips to China because of concerns that the technology could support military applications or strengthen China’s strategic capabilities.
The investigation may lead lawmakers to seek tighter controls, improved tracking of chip shipments and stronger penalties for companies that violate export restrictions. It could also prompt a review of how federal agencies coordinate intelligence assessments and export-control investigations.
For Lutnick, the hearings could bring increased attention to the Commerce Department’s decisions and its handling of suspected violations. For Huang, the requested testimony could provide lawmakers with an opportunity to question him directly about Nvidia’s relationship with Megaspeed and the company’s awareness of possible diversion risks.
Neither a request to testify nor the allegations surrounding the case establish wrongdoing by the individuals involved. The congressional proceedings are intended to gather information and determine whether existing safeguards were adequate.
As the Senate and House inquiries move forward, lawmakers are expected to seek clearer answers about the movement of advanced AI chips, the role of government officials and the effectiveness of US export-control policies. The findings could influence future technology restrictions and Washington’s approach to protecting critical semiconductor technology.