As lawmakers clash in Washington, the consequences are poised to hit home in Alabama, where military bases, NASA facilities and rural assistance programs could feel the squeeze of a federal government shutdown as early as this weekend.

If Congress fails to reach a spending deal for funding federal agencies by midnight on Sept. 30, thousands of federal workers across Alabama could face furloughs, and families relying on Medicare and Social Security brace for service disruptions.

Here's what to know about the looming government shutdown and how Alabamians could be affected.

What is the government shutdown?

A government shutdown occurs when Congress disagrees on a plan to fund federal agencies and programs. Without that funding, parts of the government are forced to close or scale b

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