Why it Matters: A new public affairs consultancy is entering federal lobbying for the first time. Stones Throw Public Affairs LLC hired Capstone National Partners to lobby on budget and appropriations issues amid major federal cybersecurity funding cuts.

By the Numbers: This marks Stones Throw’s inaugural lobbying registration, filed April 30, 2025. The firm has no previous lobbying history or expenditures on record. William Hobson Stone leads the lobbying effort as the sole registered lobbyist. Stone has represented over 30 clients since 2007, generating more than $8.7 million in reported lobbying expenditures.

Broader Context: The Trump administration’s FY 2026 budget slashes cybersecurity funding by $495 million. The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency faces a 17% budget cut and elimination of nearly 30% of positions. Specific programs losing funding include $45.4 million from cyber defense education and $39.6 million from election security initiatives. June’s executive order shifted cybersecurity focus away from domestic resilience toward foreign threats.

The Agenda: Stones Throw is lobbying solely on budget and appropriations matters. No specific legislation or issues are identified in their disclosure filing. The timing coincides with implementation of the FY 2026 appropriations cycle and ongoing supplemental funding discussions.

Competitive Landscape: No competitive lobbying activity data was available for this analysis.

Between The Lines: Stone’s background makes him uniquely qualified for this moment. His House Appropriations Committee experience and defense sector expertise align with current funding shifts. His client portfolio spans defense contractors like Boeing Co. and General Dynamics Corp., plus telecommunications work with AT&T Inc. The administration’s focus on border gateway security and post-quantum cryptography creates new procurement opportunities despite overall cuts.

The Bottom Line: A newcomer is positioning itself in Washington as cybersecurity funding undergoes dramatic restructuring. The choice of an appropriations specialist suggests serious intent to influence federal spending decisions.

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