Furloughed federal employees hold placards during a protest event outside the US Capitol to demand an end of federal workers' lockout after the government shutdown in Washington DC on October 4, 2013. Photo: Xinhua

Furloughed federal employees hold placards during a protest event outside the US Capitol to demand an end of federal workers' lockout after the government shutdown in Washington DC on October 4, 2013. Photo: Xinhua

Furloughed federal employees hold placards during a protest event outside the US Capitol to demand an end of federal workers' lockout after the government shutdown in Washington DC on October 4, 2013. Photo: Xinhua

Furloughed federal employees hold placards during a protest event outside the US Capitol to demand an end of federal workers' lockout after the government shutdown in Washington DC on October 4, 2013. Photo: Xinhua