Excerpts from NIGMS Authorizing Statute
For several years, the National Institute of General Medical Sciences has ignored Congressional requests to include basic behavioral research in their portfolio. Many of these requests came in the form of appropriations report language, and cited the public law that required NIGMS to conduct such research.
(Public Law 87-838 - Oct. 17, 1962)
... Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That title IV of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C., ch. 6A, subch. III) is amended by adding at the end thereof the following new part.
Establishment of Institute of General Medical Sciences
SEC. 442. The Surgeon General is authorized, with the approval of the Secretary, to establish in the Public Health Service an institute for the conduct and support of research and research training in the general or basic medical sciences and related natural or behavioral sciences [emphasis added] which have significance for two or more other institutes, or are outside the general area of responsibility of any other institute, established under or by this Act.