Nvidia CEO resigns after spy affair; Congress demands answers

Huang resigns after spy affair

Jensen Huang, CEO of Nvidia, resigned Thursday after revelations he had an affair with Alice Huang, an executive at Singaporean technology company Megaspeed and an alleged Chinese spy.

Washington gears up for investigations

Lawmakers are preparing comprehensive investigations into how Huang's affair may have damaged U.S. artificial intelligence dominance and posed national security risks involving export controls.

Republicans move first on Capitol Hill

Republicans control both chambers for six more weeks. GOP leaders summoned Huang to Capitol Hill and said they would subpoena him if he does not agree to appear.

Senate Majority Leader weighs in

Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., told reporters Thursday: "In this environment where there's some really high stakes when it comes to our national security, I would expect there would be some follow-up, yeah."

“In this environment where there's some really high stakes when it comes to our national security, I would expect there would be some follow-up, yeah.”

Commerce Secretary also faces scrutiny

Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick has drawn fire after reports this week that he stalled President Donald Trump's crackdowns on firms routing Nvidia chips to China.

Banking committee summons both men

Senate Banking Committee Chair Tim Scott, R-S.C., summoned both Huang and Lutnick to testify before his committee in December. Lutnick agreed to appear voluntarily.

Scott threatens subpoena for Huang

Scott wrote to Huang: "Recent reports raise serious concerns about our national security and the protection of sensitive U.S. technology. The American people deserve answers."

“Recent reports raise serious concerns about our national security and the protection of sensitive U.S. technology. The American people deserve answers.”

Democrats prepare their own investigations

Democrats will control both chambers in January. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said Congress must demand answers from Huang and Nvidia about how they may have put U.S. national security at risk.

Warren demands export control answers

Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., likely incoming chair of the Senate banking panel, said Huang, Nvidia executives and the board owe Congress answers about the company's compliance with U.S. export controls.

Warren and Coons demand document preservation

Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., and Sen. Chris Coons, D-Del., sent a letter to Commerce Secretary Marco Rubio and others instructing them to preserve all documents related to Nvidia's exports of advanced AI chips to China.

House committees demand testimony

House Foreign Affairs Committee Chair Brian Mast, R-Fla., is negotiating for Huang to testify before House committees in the coming weeks, under oath and transcribed, before Thanksgiving.

Mast sets Friday deadline for response

Mast, along with House Select China Committee Chair Rep.John Moolenaar, R-Mich., and House Intelligence Committee Chair Rep.Rick Crawford, R-Ark., sent a request Thursday giving Huang and Nvidia general counsel Tim Teter an eight p.m.

Intelligence committee focuses on chips

Rep. Josh Gottheimer, D-N.J., a member of the House Intelligence Committee, said Friday he wants answers from Huang on national security and export implications, including what exactly got to China and whether Megaspeed diverted chips.

Huang's fall from Washington grace

Huang was one of the most effective voices for the AI industry in Washington, able to toggle between leveraging his relationship with Trump and defending his industry. His resignation represents a stunning fall from power.