Leaders in Washington were stunned by House Speaker John Boehner’s announcement Friday that he’s stepping down from leadership and leaving Congress at the end of October. The ag community was also surprised, including American Farm Bureau Federation’s Dale Moore.

Moore has been around politics for many years and speculates Boehner’s frustration keeping conservatives in line and the government funded may have been too much.

USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack also commented on Boehner’s resignation and if it eases a the threat of a government shutdown midnight Wednesday.

Vilsack says USDA is moving to try to avoid disruptions in food stamps and other programs in case Congress passes a stop-gap budget at the last minute, or prepare the states and recipients in case they don’t.