Himes Questions FAA Funding and Nvidia Spy Scandal

Rep. Jim Himes, the top Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee, appeared on Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan on November 15, 2026, to discuss urgent matters of national security and domestic infrastructure. Speaking from Greenwich, Connecticut, Himes addressed the recent request by the Transportation Secretary for $50 billion in funding to upgrade the Federal Aviation Administration. He noted that only 16 working days remain in the current House session, a tight timeframe for such significant legislative action.

Himes argued that the current situation is not primarily a funding issue but a matter of prioritization. He highlighted that the Biden administration had previously sent $50 billion to the FAA, of which $12.5 billion has been appropriated but not yet obligated. Himes described obligated funds as money that has been spent, suggesting the agency should utilize existing resources before requesting new appropriations. He attributed part of the current operational struggles to personnel reductions under the leadership of Elon Musk, which resulted in the resignation or retirement of 1,300 FAA employees and the firing of 400 probationary staff members. These departures included technical specialists and maintenance workers, creating a gap that now affects millions of Americans.

The interview shifted focus to the ongoing arms race with China regarding advanced semiconductor technology. Himes, a member of the Gang of Eight intelligence committees, discussed recent briefings concerning Nvidia and its connections to Megaspeed. U.S. intelligence agencies believe Alice Huang, the former CEO of Megaspeed, was an asset for China's Ministry of State Security. President Donald Trump expressed uncertainty about whether Huang was definitively a spy, stating that the determination was still pending. Himes criticized this lack of clarity, noting that Secretary of State Marco Rubio had circulated a memo in March or April raising concerns about Huang, yet the president appeared unaware of the details in November.

Himes explained that the term spy is imprecise in this context. It is possible that Huang was a fully paid intelligence asset actively communicating with Chinese handlers, or she might have been monitored without her full knowledge. He emphasized the critical nature of this technology, which could end millions of jobs, cure cancer, or serve as a tool for terrorists. The lack of definitive answers about the single most important technology of the lifetime is a source of concern for Himes, who stated he plans to spend significant time investigating the matter. He noted that Republicans in Congress are also showing interest in resolving the issue.

The discussion touched on the role of Megaspeed, a Singapore-based company that did not exist in any meaningful way a decade ago. Himes suggested that Megaspeed may serve as a conduit for Nvidia chips to reach China or allow China to train its AI models using Megaspeed's data centers. This would enable China to develop frontier models online without directly purchasing the restricted chips. The central questions involve what information was passed from Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang to Huang and what influence was exerted on the process. Himes pointed out that the Commerce Department appeared to stand up for Nvidia, raising questions about potential conflicts of interest, particularly given that Jensen Huang had written $25 million checks for a presidential ballroom.

Himes also addressed the investigation into Megaspeed by the Department of Justice's National Security Division. He questioned why the United States had not informed Jensen Huang if he was a target of Chinese intelligence. He argued that scrutiny should extend beyond the CEO to his executives, who were following instructions, and to Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, who has responsibility for keeping certain chips out of China. Himes noted that Lutnick and other officials have close relationships with industry leaders, which complicates the oversight process. He mentioned that the Commerce Department had been the primary barrier to stopping the flow of Nvidia chips to China, a point that requires further explanation.

The interview concluded with a discussion on the Treasury Secretary's recent comments regarding a culture of non-compliance at Nvidia. The Treasury Secretary suggested that more executives should be removed and cited reporting that only 1% of computer chips imported to Singapore stayed there, despite Nvidia claiming Singapore accounted for 20% of its sales. Himes agreed that if banks were facilitating a smuggling operation, they needed to be held accountable. He emphasized that while Nvidia has an incentive to sell to China, it is the government's job to enforce rules such as the entity list, which Megaspeed was notably absent from. Himes stressed the need for a comprehensive investigation to determine the full extent of the activities and the responsibilities of all parties involved.

Himes indicated that his request to meet with Commerce Secretary Lutnick had just been sent out the previous Friday. He also noted a bipartisan request for Lutnick to appear before the Senate Banking Committee. As the investigation continues, Himes remains focused on gathering the necessary facts to understand how the current situation developed and what steps must be taken to prevent future vulnerabilities in the nation's technology supply chain.