Tech heavyweights including Google, eBay, Facebook and Amazon have joined forces to create a new trade association aimed at promoting "an open, innovative and free Internet" by handling political and regulatory issues in Washington. The Internet Association announced its formation in a statement on its Web site, revealing on Wednesday, July 25, that it will be headed by former congressional staffer Michael Beckerman.

The association will officially launch in September, and while it did not name its member companies, sources close to the group told AFP that Google, Facebook, eBay and Amazon are backing the effort. The news comes shortly after Reuters reported that Google's lobbying budget climbed 90 percent in the last quarter to nearly $4 million, while Facebook boosted its spending by 200 percent to $960,000.

"The newly formed Internet Association is comprised of some of the world's most visible Internet companies and will be headquartered in Washington," read the statement. "Beckerman will lead the Internet Association's efforts to advance public policy solutions that strengthen and protect and open, innovative and free Internet."

A spokesman for Facebook declined to comment on the company's participation, but a source familiar with the lobby told the AFP that it "is going to be a permanent association here in Washington and will be advocating on behalf of the Internet industry and its vast community of users."

"The association will be advancing public policy solutions to strengthen America's global Internet leadership," said the source, noting that the group was "the first trade association representing the Internet and Internet companies as a whole."

The newly-appointed CEO, Beckerman, was deputy staff director to the U.S. House Energy and Commerce Committee, which oversees telecommunications and Internet policy. "I am honored to lead such an important undertaking," said Beckerman. "The Internet is the greatest engine for economic growth and prosperity the world has ever known. The Internet must have a voice in Washington."

"The Internet isn't just Silicon Valley anymore, the Internet has moved to Main Street," he added. "Our top priority is to ensure that elected leaders in Washington understand the profound impacts of the Internet and Internet companies on jobs, economic growth and freedom."