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
Timothy B. Lee

Timothy B. Lee

Former senior correspondent

    Latest articles by Timothy B. Lee

    Politics
    Rand Paul has forced 3 Patriot Act powers to expire. Here’s what that means.Rand Paul has forced 3 Patriot Act powers to expire. Here’s what that means.
    Politics

    The Senate is moving forward with compromise legislation called the USA Freedom Act.

    By Timothy B. Lee
    Politics
    Rand Paul says we should just let Patriot Act provisions expire. Here’s why he’s wrong.Rand Paul says we should just let Patriot Act provisions expire. Here’s why he’s wrong.
    Politics

    The USA Freedom Act, which Paul opposes, reforms laws that won’t be affected by the imminent expiration of a controversial section of the Patriot Act.

    By Timothy B. Lee
    Easter eggs, explained
    archives
    By Timothy B. Lee
    Explainers
    How copyright law threatens your right to repair your carHow copyright law threatens your right to repair your car
    Explainers

    Modern cars are full of software, and car companies say customers don’t own the software in cars they buy.

    By Timothy B. Lee
    Politics
    A massive merger would create the nation’s second-largest cable companyA massive merger would create the nation’s second-largest cable company
    Politics

    Regulators need to decide whether to approve the deal that would combine Time Warner Cable, Charter Communications, and Bright House Networks.

    By Timothy B. Lee
    Politics
    Why killing Obama’s trade deal could be good for free tradeWhy killing Obama’s trade deal could be good for free trade
    Politics

    Special interest groups have been hijacking trade deals to enrich themselves. Killing the Trans-Pacific Partnership could force them to stop.

    By Timothy B. Lee
    Politics
    Last night NSA scare tactics finally stopped workingLast night NSA scare tactics finally stopped working
    Politics

    The Senate refused to extend the NSA’s mass surveillance of phone records by even a single day.

    By Timothy B. Lee
    Politics
    These House Republicans are bucking their party leaders — and Obama — on tradeThese House Republicans are bucking their party leaders — and Obama — on trade
    Politics

    Republican leaders in Congress want to give President Obama authority to negotiate trade deals. But some House Republicans aren’t going along with the idea.

    By Timothy B. Lee
    Network neutrality, explained
    archives
    By Timothy B. Lee
    Politics
    Trade legislation overcomes Senate filibusterTrade legislation overcomes Senate filibuster
    Politics

    The Senate is poised to approve Trade Promotion Authority, which will guarantee President Obama an up-or-down vote on the Trans-Pacific Partnership.

    By Timothy B. Lee