McConnell in email says 'it is important to maintain the status quo on the legislative filibuster'

Outgoing Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell in an email to colleagues on Monday wrote that "it is important to maintain the status quo on the legislative filibuster."

Republicans are set to lose control in the U.S. Senate as the body will soon be comprised of 48 Democrats, two Independents who caucus with the Democrats, and 50 Republicans—once Kamala Harris becomes the nation's next Vice President, she will become the tie-breaker in the event of a split vote in the congressional chamber.

"We also need to enter into a power sharing agreement with the Democrats," the Kentucky Republican wrote in the letter, according to National Review. "While I am guided in this effort by the Lott-Daschle agreement, I believe we need to also address the threats to the legislative filibuster. As you know, we all resisted the direct calls of President Trump to destroy the Senate by eliminating the legislative filibuster when we controlled the House the Senate and the White House."

"I believe the unique rules of the Senate which forces compromise between the parties is needed now more than ever. Having an equally divided Senate means that we have to work together to get anything done and the spirit of true bipartisan compromise is possible only when each side realizes they must come to the table together. Our times demand nothing less," McConnell said.

"I believe the time is ripe to address this issue head on before the passions of one particular issue or another arise. We will need unity and the support of each of you as this may take time to work through. A delay in reaching an agreement could delay the final determination of committee assignments but it is important to maintain the status quo on the legislative filibuster," McConnell wrote.