by Rich Pottorff, Doane chief economist & Washington analyst

Members of Congress will need to focus on money matters when they return in September.

Government funding runs out Sept. 30, and the U.S. will reach the debt ceiling by November. Some members of Congress are already talking about shutting down the government unless Congress agrees to bigger cuts in spending.

While no bill has been proposed yet, House leaders are working on a plan that would reduce spending o the food stamp program by $40 billion over 10 years. This is double the saving proposed in the farm bill passed by the House Agriculture Committee.

Supporters of the food stamp program contend that the cuts would cause about 5 million people to lose benefits. Agriculture Secretary Vilsack says that 92 percent of the people receiving food stamps are senior citizens, the disabled, children and the working poor. House members designing the bill say it would tighten eligibility standards and impose new work requirements.

House Speaker John Boehner, R-Ohio, is planning to ask for a vote on the food stamp bill right away when Congress returns from the August recess after Labor Day, according to House Agriculture Committee Ranking Member Collin Peterson,D-Minn.

He says that whatever the outcome, the Speaker will then appoint conferees to work with members of the Senate to finish the farm bill.

Boehner hopes to get the farm bill completed by the end of September – a tall order since Congress will only be in session for 9 days in September.