Tuesday Tidbits

• The Senate confirmed the President's nomination of Kathleen Sibelius to serve as Secretary of Health and Human Services by a vote of 65-31.

• The leadership of the Senate Finance Committee released a set of health care reform policy options that the Committee will consider tomorrow. Public comment is invited on the options. The comment deadline is May 15.

• The Federal Times reports that "New Office of Personnel Management Director John Berry pledges to bring employee unions into discussions on pay for performance, benefits and outsourcing federal jobs." The Director recently met with union officials who brought up the topic of extending benefits to domestic partners.