The scientific community, which complained early on to Congress and the White House that the travel curbs were diminishing government
researchers’ standing in the United States and abroad, was hit particularly hard.
With only shaky assurances that their supervisors will approve their attendance at a conference with a reasonable lead time — or approve
the request at all — “scientists and engineers are less likely to submit papers or accept speaking invitations,” GAO found in its 52-page
report.