WASHINGTON — Connecticut and Rhode Island lawmakers eager to protect local jobs say they will push hard on Capitol Hill to safeguard federal financing for doubling Virginia-class submarine production to two ships a year.

“Looking ahead to this year, it looks like we still got some work to do,” said Rep. Joe Courtney, D-Conn., whose district includes the submarine manufacturer Electric Boat. “The competition is going to be even more intense this year with all of the challenges that our country faces.”

Courtney’s remarks came at a breakfast gathering of submarine-industry officials who want to make sure the money for a second submarine stays in future defense spending bills. Congress is beginning work on its new budget bills.

A key mission for Connecticut and Rhode Island lawmakers has been to persuade the Navy to accelerate plans to double production of the 377-foot-long high-tech attack sub as soon as possible. Such a move could help safeguard jobs at Electric Boat, which has facilities in both states.

“I want to stress how important it is to continue this effort,” said Sen. Jack Reed, D-R.I.

About 7,600 people work at Electric Boat’s shipyard in Groton, while about 2,000 are employed at the company’s Quonset Point facility in Rhode Island.

Rep. Jim Langevin, D-R.I., said maintaining a strong shipbuilding industry was vital to the nation’s security, particularly since nations such as China are bent on producing more and more submarines.

“We have to do all we can to protect that base,” Langevin said.