In 2018, Rep. Gallagher wrote an extensive piece in The Atlantic that grappled with one topic: How to Fix Congress. The problem, he concluded, “...is not the people. The problem is a defective process and a power structure that...funnels all power to leadership and stifles debate and initiative within the ranks.” In the piece, he put forward three solutions based on his own observations to help make the institution better serve the American people. Two years later, he decided to explore the topic of improving Congress by gathering suggestions from members who recently announced they would retire from Congress.

On the last of the three special episodes of the NEW Look podcast, Rep. Gallagher is joined by Rep. Mike Conaway, who was first elected to Congress in 2004 and represents the 11th Congressional District in Texas. He may be best known for serving as the Ranking Member of the House Committee on Agriculture, but Rep. Conaway has one of Congress’ most interesting backgrounds being not only a CPA, but a member of the high school football team that Friday Night Lights is based on. And while the conversation, which took place in January of 2020, focuses on reforming Congress, there’s plenty of time to talk about Friday Night Lights and high school football as well.