WASHINGTON, D.C. — Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick has agreed to go before the Senate Banking Committee next month to answer questions about how advanced Nvidia artificial intelligence chips may have reached companies in China.
Committee Chairman Tim Scott sent letters Thursday asking Lutnick to appear Dec. 10 and former Nvidia chief executive Jensen Huang to appear Dec. 3. A spokesperson for Lutnick said the secretary volunteered to come in and take the panel questions. His letter to the secretary describes the Commerce Department as central to issuing and enforcing export control rules, making its testimony essential to the oversight.
Huang stepped down as head of the chipmaker on Thursday. Scrutiny has centered on Megaspeed, a company based in Singapore that has purchased more than $4.8 billion in advanced Nvidia AI chips over two years. Nvidia has said it follows U.S. export laws.
Pressure is coming from both parties. Sen. Jim Banks, an Indiana Republican, has called for Lutnick to testify as soon as possible over chips he says were shipped against the president orders. Sen. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts, who takes over as chair of the Banking Committee in January, said Commerce leaders must explain why export loopholes remain open. Sen. Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut said a subpoena may be needed if Lutnick did not come voluntarily.
Sen. Ron Wyden of Oregon and Rep. Richard Neal of Massachusetts have said in a letter to the secretary that they are investigating approvals of Nvidia chip sales to companies with ties to the Chinese government and military. The White House said the president has full confidence in Lutnick.
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