Developing AGI, as an abstract idea, is a matter of national security. That doesn't mean people are willing to accept the real-world consequences of it. Especially when it could affect them financially.

Additionally, I'm not even sure the US is capable of having national priorities at the moment. The Congress has become incapable of making decisions. While the executive and the judiciary branches have stepped up to compensate, they tend to handle each issue separately without any general direction.