Ladies and gentlemen, meet the man who has a very good chance of becoming head of the House Energy and Commerce Committee: Illinois Republican John Shimkus, a religious fanatic who believes we don’t need to worry about global warming because the Bible says the Earth won’t be destroyed by a flood.

Rep. John Shimkus is standing by a controversial comment that global warming isn’t something to worry about because God said he wouldn’t destroy the Earth after Noah’s flood.

The Illinois Republican running for the powerful perch atop the House Energy and Commerce Committee told POLITICO on Wednesday that his understanding of the Bible reaffirms his belief that government shouldn’t be in the business of trying to address rising greenhouse gas emissions.

“I do believe in the Bible as the final word of God,” Shimkus said. “And I do believe that God said the Earth would not be destroyed by a flood.

This Republican House is shaping up to be the most atavistic, anti-science group of lunatics ever to hold office.