Federal workers held a protest before the State of the Union on Tuesday against potential budget cuts. The cuts, part of the Congressional sequestration plan, will take effect on March 1 unless Congress reaches an agreement. Departmental budgets would be reduced by at least 9%, and many employees would have to take unpaid leaves or furlough days. The workers said that the cuts would not only affect them, but also the people who depend on the services they provide.
See "Federal workers' union rally near Capitol to protest sequestration", Joe Davidson, The Washington Post, February 12, 2013