Gov. Schwarzenegger/Same Sex Mariiage phone poll (Not a joke)]

(Washington) An economic analysis of same-sex marriage by the Congressional Budget Office shows that the federal government would see a $1 billion annual increase in revenue by recognizing same-sex couples.

According to the report, "In some cases, recognizing same-sex marriages would increase outlays and revenues; in other cases, it would have the opposite effect. The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) estimates that on net, those impacts would improve the budget's bottom line to a small extent: by less than $1 billion in each of the next 10 years (CBO's usual estimating period)."

The analysis was requested by Rep. Steve Chabot (R-Ohio) who chairs the House subcommittee on the Constitution. The committee is scheduled to hold a hearing June 24 about bans on marriage between same-sex couples.

"Congress's own analysis shows America would benefit from equal protection," said Human Rights Campaign President Cheryl Jacques. "Now it's clear that giving all American families equal protection wouldn't harm the bottom line."

"We will see to it that every member of Congress is aware that the only financial burden is to same-sex couples who are prohibited from the same rights and responsibilities as other families," Jacques said.

“Not only have lesbian and gay couples and their children suffered financial harm because they are not allowed to marry, but taxpayers have also been being paying a financial price as a result, said Equality California Associate Director Molly McKay.

"Taxpayers could save almost ten billion dollars in federal taxes and two hundred fifty million dollars in state taxes during the next decade if politicians enact marriage equality legislation. So-called tax cutting politicians who support marriage discrimination need to jump on the marriage equality express before voters send them a one way ticket home.”

Meanwhile, a separate study shows that American businesses would see very little impact on their benefits costs if same-sex couples are allowed to marry throughout the country.

The report, prepared by the HRC, concludes that most businesses will have no employees who will marry a same-sex partner, and the average business will see no noticeable increase in employee benefit costs.

"This report puts an end to the claims of some extremists that marriage for same-sex couples will be a financial drain on corporate America," said Kim I. Mills, HRC's education director. "The same people made the same claims about domestic partner benefits. They were proven wrong then, too."

Earlier today the Senate Judiciary Committee held hearings on a proposed amendment to the US Constitution to ban gay marriage.

By Doreen Brandt
365Gay.com Newscenter
Washington Bureau