James Bridenstine actually said...

I think we should go ASAP.

Just to be clear, Congressman, this budget request is higher than five of the budgets under President Obama for Earth science specifically.

What we do is we prove capability, we prove technology, we retire risk, and our goal is always to commercialize.

Without question. In fact, I would argue you cannot get to Mars unless you use the moon as a tool to get there.