Republicans push for Jensen Huang's testimony following Nvidia CEO's resignation

Republican lawmakers are continuing to call for testimony from Nvidia's former CEO Jensen Huang, who resigned Thursday morning following reports that he had an affair with an alleged Chinese spy.

GOP Rep. Tim Burchett said it was a "good move" for Huang to resign, adding that the former Nvidia executive should testify as lawmakers have raised concerns about the national security implications of Huang's reported relationship given that he ran the world's largest computer chip manufacturer.

"I don't think he's got anything to hide now. Let it fly," Burchett said to reporters at the Capitol Thursday morning.

Rep. John Moolenaar, the chairman of the China Select Committee, told ABC News that lawmakers have growing concerns as details of Huang's affair continue to come to light.

"The concerns are our national security, whether he was being influenced by a Chinese spy, and the Chinese intelligence was gathering information about our crown jewels of American technology, and also this issue of chip diversion," said Moolenaar, who added that he would support a congressional subpoena to compel Huang's testimony.

House Foreign Affairs Committee Chair Rep. Brian Mast and Moolenaar both say that they're still in active conversations with Huang to schedule testimony after the former Nvidia CEO had previously signaled a willingness to testify.

"We are in discussions with him right now on a date to come and meet with us. If for some reason that were not to happen, all three committees, all three chairs have said we will use our subpoena power," Moolenaar said.

Republican Rep. Jay Obernolte said he believes that Huang's affair is a distraction.

"I hope we can keep the conversation centered around the pros and cons of our export policy regarding our most advanced chips, and you know, not talk about, you know, personal peccadillos,” Obernolte said.

Before Huang's resignation, lawmakers had called for him to testify. Last week, GOP Reps. Mast as well as Rick Crawford, the chair of the House Intelligence Committee, and Moolenaar sent Huang a letter requesting he appear for a "joint, closed-door briefing." Moolenaar said Huang responded to that letter and they are discussing a "date that works."

Congressional Republicans on the Select Committee on China also sent a letter to Huang requesting that he appear for a closed-door briefing Nov. 18 concerning his relationship with Alice Huang. Jensen Huang admitted to an affair, but he didn't say with whom.

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Jensen Huang has not responded to ABC News' previous requests for comment about testifying on Capitol Hill. ABC News is working to contact Huang on Thursday -- after he left Nvidia.

On the Democratic side, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer posted on social media on Thursday morning that despite Huang's resignation, Congress needs more answers from Huang, Nvidia and the administration.

"Despite Jensen Huang’s resignation, Congress must demand answers from Mr. Huang and others at Nvidia about how they may have put U.S. national security at risk," Schumer wrote.

Democratic Sens. Elizabeth Warren and Chris Coons are asking the White House and the Departments of Commerce and State to preserve all documents related to the export of NVIDIA's advanced AI chips to China following reports that some senior officials were aware that Huang may have been the target of a Chinese spying operation. The two senators wrote a letter to Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and White House chief of staff Stephen Miller on Wednesday.

Coons and Warren are also requesting preservation of all materials related to the reported intelligence operation and for a briefing to members of Congress.

Some Republicans have brushed aside concerns, however, when asked whether Huang's access to President Donald Trump at state dinners and flying on Air Force One was problematic given his affair with an alleged Chinese spy was purportedly known to the intelligence community.

"I'm not concerned about -- about Jensen's access to the president. I'm sure the president can take care of that," Obernolte said.

Republicans have said they are hoping to bring in Huang before handing over majority control to Democrats in January.

"You know, it's obviously -- with him resigning -- that does change the dynamic," Moolenaar said. "He has stated he's a patriot. He has questioned people who viewed export controls as a sound policy. I would hope he would want to come in and have that discussion with us."

ABC News' Allison Pecorin contributed to this report.