we have a nineteen trillion dollar national debt, not counting unfunded mandates, and there is little probability of a short term return on a moon base.
Better to let the private sector do it. Give Musk et al huge tax breaks for solar system exploration.
Besides, the moon is boring - and we've been there. It's never going to be a second home for humans. Mars might be. I'd rather see an 8 year plan to land humans on Mars and develop that planet.
Robot exploration. No need to colonize Mars just yet. What is the big hurry to send humans to Mars?
You do know the Chinese are extremely interested in the moon at current, right? The moon has military advantages for whoever possesses it - among other things, a lunar installation can fire projectiles at anywhere on Earth in a form of orbital bombardment. It is the ultimate high ground and you can’t sneak up on it.
The moon is also thought to be an easy source of vast amounts of helium-3, an isotope of helium that would make you easier fusion energy production. Between 15-20 tons of the stuff would power the entire US power grid for a year. Helium-3 is also extremely useful in other products and processes. The Chinese know it is there as well and they are planning on staking their mining claims first. https://www.extremetech.com/extreme/197784-china-is-going-to-mine-the-moon-for-helium-3-fusion-fuel