Herrera Beutler waiting to share her stance on women in combat

It was huge news when it broke earlier this week: the Pentagon is ending its policy that excludes women from the front lines of combat.

When reached for comment about this policy change, U.S. Rep. Jaime Herrera Beutler, R-Camas, said she’s waiting until May to share her stance on whether the military should allow women in combat.

“The branches of the military will present their plans for integrating women into combat roles in May, and I will review that plan,” she said by email. “My number one priority for our military is to ensure the efficient operation of our troops in combat.”

Despite the Pentagon’s old policy, women have found themselves in combat. In the recent wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, 152 U.S. servicewomen died.