What is stopping you from applying for federal employment? They employ people in most occupations, in all areas of the country.
BTW, no retroactive pay for the furlough days a couple of months ago. Also looking at additional furlough days in 2014 as well as layoffs. This is for DoD - unsure how other agencies are affected, if at all. DoD must cut $50 billion again this year. US Army (military) will reduce to 490,000, which is about the size of the entire force we sent to Saudi Arabia in the first Gulf War.
What is stopping me from applying to FedGov? You’ve got to be kidding. I’ve worked with government people in the DOE. Once was enough in my career. I could never work in a lazy, no-account organization where a significant fraction of the workers are called “non-essential.” You won’t find ONE person in my company with that label. I wouldn’t last a week in FedGov. I have my pride.