Chris Nehls
@nehls.bsky.social
Senior advisor @americalabs Congressional reform, democracy, civic tech. US History PhD. 3x Wahoo. Back from Japan. Let's Go Mets. 🏀. wants to know the exact dimensions of hell
ust when you need a new democratic collapse nightmare scenario -- House rules allow the speaker to put the chamber on ice for almost an entire Congress in the case of something he doesn't like: impeachment, majority change, etc. open.substack.com/pub/firstbra...
Interview: Max Spitzer
Why the House rules allow the Speaker to call recess unilaterally, why that could allow rogue situations, and what to do about it
open.substack.com
December 4, 2025 at 8:20 PM
ust when you need a new democratic collapse nightmare scenario -- House rules allow the speaker to put the chamber on ice for almost an entire Congress in the case of something he doesn't like: impeachment, majority change, etc. open.substack.com/pub/firstbra...
Reposted by Chris Nehls
Speaker Johnson shut the House down for 54 days — and he could do it again, ceding yet more power to an out-of-control president.
With a party revolt brewing & tough calls looming on appropriations, war crimes, and more, we interviewed Max Spitzer, a former House parliamentarian, on what to do.
With a party revolt brewing & tough calls looming on appropriations, war crimes, and more, we interviewed Max Spitzer, a former House parliamentarian, on what to do.
December 4, 2025 at 3:14 PM
Speaker Johnson shut the House down for 54 days — and he could do it again, ceding yet more power to an out-of-control president.
With a party revolt brewing & tough calls looming on appropriations, war crimes, and more, we interviewed Max Spitzer, a former House parliamentarian, on what to do.
With a party revolt brewing & tough calls looming on appropriations, war crimes, and more, we interviewed Max Spitzer, a former House parliamentarian, on what to do.
Reposted by Chris Nehls
When people convince themselves that they should get mad at the dummy rather than the ventriloquist.
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/03/u...
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/03/u...
Republican Anger Erupts at Johnson as Party Frets About Future
www.nytimes.com
December 4, 2025 at 1:19 AM
When people convince themselves that they should get mad at the dummy rather than the ventriloquist.
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/03/u...
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/03/u...
Reposted by Chris Nehls
Do it, Trump. Reopen Action Park.
May 5, 2025 at 4:38 AM
Do it, Trump. Reopen Action Park.
$45 million for six outs? In this economy?
@JonHeyman tweeted
Mets remain in the mix for Edwin Diaz (Williams isn’t Diaz but he gives them a bit of cover, in case the unpalatable happens and Diaz leaves)
💬
@JonHeyman Devin Williams Mets deal: $45M for 3 years. $5M per deferred for 11/20 years with $6M bonus prorated equal over 3 yrs
Mets remain in the mix for Edwin Diaz (Williams isn’t Diaz but he gives them a bit of cover, in case the unpalatable happens and Diaz leaves)
💬
@JonHeyman Devin Williams Mets deal: $45M for 3 years. $5M per deferred for 11/20 years with $6M bonus prorated equal over 3 yrs
December 2, 2025 at 2:51 AM
$45 million for six outs? In this economy?
Bilal Coulibaly picking Giannis’ pocket and dunking on him to seal it: not what I was expecting walking into the arena tonight
December 2, 2025 at 2:47 AM
Bilal Coulibaly picking Giannis’ pocket and dunking on him to seal it: not what I was expecting walking into the arena tonight
Reposted by Chris Nehls
“STRONG FLOOR… NO CEILING…”
November 30, 2025 at 10:38 PM
“STRONG FLOOR… NO CEILING…”
Reposted by Chris Nehls
Blocking the transmission of legislation is among the worst abuses of power by any Speaker in House history. It's become very common under Johnson.
December 1, 2025 at 2:46 PM
Blocking the transmission of legislation is among the worst abuses of power by any Speaker in House history. It's become very common under Johnson.
Reposted by Chris Nehls
MTG’s exit is a sideshow — but it spotlights what’s truly broken in the House. The real fix starts with organized blocs and serious rules reform.
How would that work? Glad you asked....
How would that work? Glad you asked....
Quitters Never Win: What MTG’s Exit Says About Fixing Congress
How organized blocs and rules reform can make the House great again
firstbranchforecast.substack.com
December 1, 2025 at 1:28 PM
MTG’s exit is a sideshow — but it spotlights what’s truly broken in the House. The real fix starts with organized blocs and serious rules reform.
How would that work? Glad you asked....
How would that work? Glad you asked....
Reposted by Chris Nehls
Christ almighty.
This is an old grift, No Labels was another example, but there have been many over the years including this sort of talk about targeting congressional districts, in ways that are deeply unserious on campaign strategy. But the AI slop hype angle on top of it, just shoot me now.
This is an old grift, No Labels was another example, but there have been many over the years including this sort of talk about targeting congressional districts, in ways that are deeply unserious on campaign strategy. But the AI slop hype angle on top of it, just shoot me now.
Using artificial intelligence to identify Congressional districts where independent candidates could win, an organization called the Independent Center is aiming to disrupt the two-party system. n.pr/48mmSlu
An independent effort says AI is the secret to topple 2-party power in Congress
Using artificial intelligence to identify congressional districts where independent candidates could win, an organization called the Independent Center is aiming to disrupt the two-party system.
n.pr
December 1, 2025 at 1:31 PM
Christ almighty.
This is an old grift, No Labels was another example, but there have been many over the years including this sort of talk about targeting congressional districts, in ways that are deeply unserious on campaign strategy. But the AI slop hype angle on top of it, just shoot me now.
This is an old grift, No Labels was another example, but there have been many over the years including this sort of talk about targeting congressional districts, in ways that are deeply unserious on campaign strategy. But the AI slop hype angle on top of it, just shoot me now.
I hope stuff like this puts an end to the Atlantic Brain-style filter bubble bullshit that sees online polarization as behavioral rather than part of structural biz/market incentives. Opened our entire political culture to slop freelancers. Brilliant
X's location "transparency" feature showing many MAGA accounts are based internationally reveals what we already knew: The world is using American social media and American politics as a slot machine and social media companies are directly incentivizing this:
www.404media.co/americas-pol...
www.404media.co/americas-pol...
America’s Polarization Has Become the World's Side Hustle
The 'psyops' revealed by X are entirely the fault of the perverse incentives created by social media monetization programs.
www.404media.co
December 1, 2025 at 12:32 PM
I hope stuff like this puts an end to the Atlantic Brain-style filter bubble bullshit that sees online polarization as behavioral rather than part of structural biz/market incentives. Opened our entire political culture to slop freelancers. Brilliant
Reposted by Chris Nehls
One of the best Odd Lots in episodes is the one where they interview the Arizona farmer who defends the necessity of growing water-intensive crops in the desert, and midway through the interview, they ask him what crops his farm grows and the answer is "alfalfa for racehorses"
AI's water consumption is a problem for Arizona water. But a far, far bigger problem is our decision to grow water-intensive cow food in a desert
Gift link to my column for @opinion.bloomberg.com
www.bloomberg.com/opinion/arti...
Gift link to my column for @opinion.bloomberg.com
www.bloomberg.com/opinion/arti...
Arizona’s Water Is Vanishing Before AI Gets a Crack at It
Actual farms, not the data center variety, are sucking up groundwater more quickly than surface water from reservoirs such as Lake Mead and Lake Powell.
www.bloomberg.com
June 2, 2025 at 1:52 PM
One of the best Odd Lots in episodes is the one where they interview the Arizona farmer who defends the necessity of growing water-intensive crops in the desert, and midway through the interview, they ask him what crops his farm grows and the answer is "alfalfa for racehorses"
Virginia football has done the impossible: made me voluntarily go to Charlotte
November 30, 2025 at 4:57 AM
Virginia football has done the impossible: made me voluntarily go to Charlotte
The mac n no cheese is getting attention but those are the worst fucking mashed potatoes in human history
Karoline Leavitt's Thanksgiving spread. Please dissect.
www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article...
www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article...
November 30, 2025 at 4:54 AM
The mac n no cheese is getting attention but those are the worst fucking mashed potatoes in human history
*my high school English teacher* fewer lawyers
A chapter in Hegseth’s book is literally titled “More Lethality, Less Lawyers.”
It’s almost as if there were signs!
It’s almost as if there were signs!
November 30, 2025 at 3:39 AM
*my high school English teacher* fewer lawyers
Should I send an emergency signal to the workwear guy about EJ Manuel’s suit?
November 30, 2025 at 1:40 AM
Should I send an emergency signal to the workwear guy about EJ Manuel’s suit?
Reposted by Chris Nehls
In 2005 Duke undergraduate Stephen Miller wrote this piece framing multiculturalism as a form of unpatriotic segregationism. He has always been a maladjusted white nationalist who doesn’t understand what the US is. bsky.app/profile/seth...
Stephen Miller wrote this piece for the Duke student newspaper TWENTY YEARS AGO. You won't find a single talking point in here that a) wasn't already a stale Limbaugh-esque talking point in 2005 and b) isn't also the cutting edge of GOP messaging about universities today.
November 28, 2025 at 1:30 PM
In 2005 Duke undergraduate Stephen Miller wrote this piece framing multiculturalism as a form of unpatriotic segregationism. He has always been a maladjusted white nationalist who doesn’t understand what the US is. bsky.app/profile/seth...
This is comically extreme for the immigration restrictionists of the 1910s and 20s
Stephen Miller is now arguing that assimilation is fundamentally impossible and that certain cultures are not compatible with Western civilization
November 28, 2025 at 3:27 PM
This is comically extreme for the immigration restrictionists of the 1910s and 20s
Reposted by Chris Nehls
I’m long passed taking the high road with these people. If you’re actively abetting the destruction of American democracy I wish nothing but psychic torment and paper cuts for you.
November 27, 2025 at 4:23 AM
I’m long passed taking the high road with these people. If you’re actively abetting the destruction of American democracy I wish nothing but psychic torment and paper cuts for you.
Reposted by Chris Nehls
"I say we take off and nuke the site from orbit. It's the only way to be sure."
November 27, 2025 at 2:30 AM
"I say we take off and nuke the site from orbit. It's the only way to be sure."
I think this is in reference to Hayden Christensen trying to be Mark Ruffalo
November 27, 2025 at 3:17 AM
I think this is in reference to Hayden Christensen trying to be Mark Ruffalo
Reposted by Chris Nehls
Betty White and Lorne Greene hosting the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade, 1965
November 29, 2024 at 7:15 PM
Betty White and Lorne Greene hosting the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade, 1965
Rewatching the Todd Haynes Velvet Underground doc and totally missed this the first time
November 27, 2025 at 2:37 AM
Rewatching the Todd Haynes Velvet Underground doc and totally missed this the first time