House Republicans insist Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang testify in person

Three senior Republican members of the U.S. House are rejecting a proposal from Nvidia's CEO, Jensen Huang, that the company’s lawyer appear instead of him at a congressional session, and instead are demanding that Huang testify in person about his intimate relationship with a colleague who has been accused of spying for Beijing.

Lawmakers press for in-person testimony

The chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, Brian Mast, together with two other prominent Republican legislators, sent a request on November 4 that Huang attend a closed-door hearing to answer questions tied to a New York Times report alleging he maintained close ties with a Chinese businesswoman who passed information to authorities in Beijing.

Mast’s office said the congressman is prepared to issue a formal subpoena if Huang does not comply with the demand to appear. Officials noted, however, that actually issuing a subpoena requires backing from additional members of the committee and that procedural steps differ depending on the committee’s rules.

Company representatives had proposed that Nvidia’s legal counsel represent the firm at the session instead of the chief executive. The Republican lawmakers declined that arrangement, saying they expect Huang personally to respond to questions about the relationship and any potential national security implications.

The matter revolves around questions raised by reporting that connected Huang to a businesswoman under scrutiny for allegedly transmitting information to Chinese entities. Congressional interest centers on whether that relationship presents issues for U.S. national security or for Nvidia’s responsibilities handling advanced technologies.

It remains unclear whether Huang will accept the request to testify or whether the committee will move forward to secure a subpoena; any such steps would depend on the committee’s internal vote and political support among members.

Photo: press material from the event