US House of Representatives Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries said on Monday that Congress needs more answers after reports emerged that Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang had been targeted by a foreign intelligence effort, and he urged lawmakers to tighten restrictions on advanced AI chip exports to China.
Speaking in Washington, Jeffries called for the House to pass an annual defense bill that includes restrictions on chip sales to China, provisions already contained in legislation now before the US Senate.
Lawmakers Seek Clarity on Nvidia Case
“Clearly Congress needs more information” about what happened at Nvidia, Jeffries said, adding that there are “real concerns that need to be addressed with respect to the Nvidia situation.”
The Democratic leader noted that a classified briefing for congressional leaders on Monday with CIA Director John Ratcliffe and Director of National Intelligence Jay Clayton touched only briefly on Nvidia, with most of the discussion focused on Iran.
“We’re going to need a full briefing specifically as it relates to the Nvidia situation so we can all get to the bottom of what has happened,” Jeffries said.
Internal Probe Followed Media Report
The internal Nvidia investigation followed a media report that Huang had a close relationship with a Chinese businesswoman who allegedly passed information to Beijing. Huang reportedly told Nvidia employees that he had been unfaithful to his wife, without disclosing details of the relationship.
Defense Bill Would Toughen Chip Controls
The Senate version of the defense bill contains several provisions aimed at curbing the flow of advanced technology to China, including:
- Granting Congress greater authority over AI chips destined for China
- Pressuring US allies to restrict sales of semiconductor manufacturing equipment to China
- Requiring businesses to track their AI chips abroad to combat smuggling
Jeffries said he “strongly supports” restrictions on sales of US chips to China in the final version of the annual defense bill.
It remained unclear whether Jeffries planned to disband the China select committee or create a special committee on AI policy.
