Of cource as a Fed I can no loner attend much less present at any scientific conference. I had a paper accepted for presentation at the Society for Industrial and Applied Mathematics last March but that was nixed due to the sequester and now even urgent program review travel is out. Some guys were trying to go and present on their own time at their own expense but even that is not permitted. Also if you expect prompt response from the FDA you are out of luck. THeir funds are frozen and most employees are furloughed. Friends at NIH are also furloughed. THis is completely ridiculous.