Larni writes:
How do they get these jobs handed to them, what is the vetting procedure?
On any kind of science committee, the committee chair, if he is a republican, asks "do you believe in the big bang or evolution?". If the answer is NO, they are on the committee. Simple.
Sometimes there are further questions, like "do you believe life begins at ejaculation?", but generally it is understood that if you are a republican in congress, you already believe that.
What if Eleanor Roosevelt had wings? -- Monty Python
One important characteristic of a theory is that is has survived repeated attempts to falsify it. Contrary to your understanding, all available evidence confirms it. --Subbie
If evolution is shown to be false, it will be at the hands of things that are true, not made up. --percy