[Paleo Conservative]

Interesting theory, but these things are typcially set through Fiscal Years. The new fiscal year spending period begins October 1. That’s why the ban ends on September 30, based upon it being part of an annual appropriations bill.

But why choose the fiscal year ending just 35 days before a presidential election rather than a fiscal year in a non-election year?

[Virginia Ridgerunner]

They have to do it EVERY year, not just election years. It’s all part of the standard budget cycle, and that’s why most government agencies spend like drunken sailors in September to use up the previous years appropriations so that they don’t lose them in October when the new appropriations come into effect. Its actually just a coincedence that the congressional drilling ban expires a month before the presidential election, believe it or not.