Roll Call notes that the “Kagan confirmation drama dwindles”: “Despite Republicans’ vow that Elena Kagan was in for a tough ride to the Supreme Court, the only lingering drama ahead of Tuesday’s Judiciary Committee vote is whether Sen. Lindsey Graham will break GOP ranks to vote ‘yes’ on her nomination. If the South Carolina Republican does back Kagan, as is expected, her committee vote will likely mirror the vote for Justice Sonia Sotomayor -- with Graham joining all 12 Democrats in voting ‘yes,’ while the remaining six Republicans, led by ranking member Jeff Sessions (Ala.), vote ‘no.’”

“Senate and House Democrats are headed for a clash this week over funding for U.S. troops in Afghanistan, as Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) races to clear the schedule for a long-awaited energy reform legislation,” The Hill notes.

Roll Call looks at the potential leadership fight if Democrats lose control of the House: “Majority Whip James Clyburn (D-S.C.) has shown no inclination that he would be willing to give up the Whip job, which would leave Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-Md.) the odd man out. Hoyer could go after the leader job in a long-shot bid against Pelosi in a reprise of their epic 2002 face-off for Minority Whip, although one Hoyer ally said there was not even a remote chance he would do so. Still, he’d have a powerful argument to make -- that the party’s rejection at the polls suggests they need a more moderate approach. But more likely, Hoyer could take on Clyburn for Minority Whip instead, setting up a major Caucus battle between fiscally conservative Blue Dogs, the Congressional Black Caucus and everyone in between.”