The Budget Control Act (sequester or sequestration) will cause many federal employees to be furloughed starting in April 2013. In some cases, this will result in a 20% pay cut for these employees for the remainder fo the fiscal year.
It would be difficult to come up with a better policy that was specifically designed to drive the best and brightest employees from public service. Given the personal financial impact that this will have on these employees and their families, those that are best qualified will likely look for jobs elsewhere in the private sector.
These employees provide a valuable service to our nation. Whatever you may think about the government's spending, we cannot afford to lose the best people in the federal workforce.