< p>NORTH KINGSTOWN, R.I. (AP) — A Rhode Island Congressman says funding for submarine production in Rhode Island and Connecticut is "relatively protected" and shouldn't be impacted if automatic cuts to the federal budget take hold later this week.

A spokesman for U.S. Rep. Jim Langevin (LAN'-jih-vin) says the Virginia Class subs built by Electric Boat are "better positioned" than many federal programs and shouldn't automatically lose funding this year if Congress fails to avert $85 billion in cuts by the Friday deadline.

But Langevin's office says submarine funding remains uncertain over the long term, and could hinge on the outcome of the current fiscal debate in Washington.

Lawmakers have authorized the production of two subs per year but funding is dependent on Congressional appropriations. Electric Boat manufactures the subs at Quonset Point, R.I., and Groton, Conn.