Skip to main content

The context you need, when you need it

When news breaks, you need to understand what actually matters — and what to do about it. At Vox, our mission to help you make sense of the world has never been more vital. But we can’t do it on our own.

We rely on readers like you to fund our journalism. Will you support our work and become a Vox Member today?

Join now
Jonathan Allen

Jonathan Allen

Former Chief Political Correspondent

    Latest articles by Jonathan Allen

    Politics
    Kevin McCarthy will (probably) be the next House speaker. The real race may be for No. 2.Kevin McCarthy will (probably) be the next House speaker. The real race may be for No. 2.
    Politics

    The conservative Freedom Caucus is likely to focus on getting one of its own elevated to majority leader, the No. 2 spot in the GOP hierarchy.

    By Jonathan Allen
    Politics
    Why one Republican congressman says he was “disappointed” by Pope FrancisWhy one Republican congressman says he was “disappointed” by Pope Francis
    Play
    Politics

    Rep. Joe Pitts didn’t like what the pope played down in his speech.

    By Jonathan Allen
    Politics
    Pope Francis delivered a speech too progressive for Obama to givePope Francis delivered a speech too progressive for Obama to give
    Politics

    If Obama had said the same thing, he’d have risked being labeled a socialist.

    By Jonathan Allen
    Poverty
    Pope Francis addresses Congress: read the full remarksPope Francis addresses Congress: read the full remarks
    Play
    Poverty

    Pope Francis became the first pontiff to deliver an address to a joint meeting of Congress on Thursday.

    By Jonathan Allen
    Politics
    This Carly Fiornia Super PAC ad doubles down on Planned Parenthood attackThis Carly Fiornia Super PAC ad doubles down on Planned Parenthood attack
    Politics

    The Super PAC backing Fiorina has released a web ad lionizing her for the forceful — but also inaccurate — repudiation of Planned Parenthood she delivered at last week’s GOP primary debate. Regardless of the truth, the ad should be a political win.

    By Jonathan Allen
    Politics
    This is the right moment for Pope Francis to address CongressThis is the right moment for Pope Francis to address Congress
    Politics

    It is Francis’s charge to spread the Catholic Church’s message on issues that have both political and moral components. It is part of his calling as a Jesuit to push the mighty to address the needs of the meek.

    By Jonathan Allen
    Politics
    Hillary Clinton’s plan to rein in out-of-pocket health costs, explainedHillary Clinton’s plan to rein in out-of-pocket health costs, explained
    Politics

    Clinton would exempt patients from paying for up to three visits to the doctor in the first place, and refund money to individuals and families who spend an inordinate share of their income on health services not covered by their insurance.

    By Jonathan Allen
    Climate
    Hillary Clinton’s opposition to Keystone XL is a political winnerHillary Clinton’s opposition to Keystone XL is a political winner
    Climate

    The idea that Republican voters would cast ballots for Clinton because she was for the pipeline — or that Democrats or independents would vote against her because she opposes it — is pretty laughable.

    By Jonathan Allen
    Politics
    Stephen Colbert gets Ted Cruz to admit he doesn’t agree with Reagan on immigration, taxesStephen Colbert gets Ted Cruz to admit he doesn’t agree with Reagan on immigration, taxes
    Politics

    Colbert noted that the president Republicans most cite as their political role model actually favored an amnesty program for illegal immigrants and some tax increases.

    By Jonathan Allen