Nvidia CEO called in by lawmakers over ties to alleged Chinese spy

Catch up quick: Jensen Huang and Alice Huang purportedly had a "close" relationship, per reporting from The New York Times.

• The Times also reported that President Trump was briefed by intelligence officials about their relationship and the allegations that Alice Huang was a spy, but chose not to act.

• The Wall Street Journal subsequently reported that officials in at least three countries had concerns that Alice Huang was passing information to the Chinese government, potentially including sensitive details on Nvidia chips.
• Nvidia has denied the allegations, saying Jensen Huang and Alice Huang's contacts were just routine business interactions. The Chinese government previously called the allegations it was spying on Nvidia "groundless speculation."

Zoom out: Reps. Brian J. Mast (R-Fla.), John Moolenaar (R-Mich.) and Rick Crawford (R-Ark.) sent a letter to Jensen Huang Thursday, requesting he sit for a joint briefing with the respective House committees that they chair: Foreign Affairs, the Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party and the Select Committee on Intelligence.

• They are seeking answers on Nvidia's protocols to protect itself from foreign adversaries and his interactions with Alice Huang, according to the letter.
• "Recent reports raise significant national security concerns regarding the [People's Republic of China] access to sensitive U.S. technology and information," the letter reads.
• "The issue of PRC infiltration and access to cutting-edge U.S. technology is core to the investigative work of our three committees this Congress. It is vital that Congress determines the extent to which U.S. national security has been placed at risk," the letter continues.

The other side: Spokespeople for Nvidia were not immediately available to comment on the House request.

• They provided a statement to CNBC earlier Thursday again reiterating that Jensen Huang has routine business contacts with executives all the time, and that he does not provide them national security information.