Cross– The U.S. government is set to shut down next weekend unless Congress manages to strike a last-minute agreement to pass a funding bill before the March 14 deadline. The uncertain situation has left many Americans anxiously wondering how a potential government shutdown would impact them.

A government shutdown crisis can seem like the "boy who cried wolf" story of American politics. Democrats and Republicans in Congress have come to the cusp of a shutdown repeatedly in recent years, only to avert disaster at the 11th hour with a mix of votes from both parties. But the story could get a new ending as soon as next week.