AUGUSTA, — U.S. Reps. Mike Michaud and Chellie Pingree are urging congressional leaders to head off drastic defense spending cuts that could cause a loss of jobs at Bath Iron Works and the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard.

Michaud and Pingree, both Democrats, said in a letter to leaders from both parties Tuesday that they want a funding bill that would avoid arbitrary and extreme spending cuts under the so-called sequester, and a funding bill for the Defense Department. The sequester cuts are due to take effect in nine days.

The Maine representatives say recent information provided by the Navy indicates that both Portsmouth and BIW would face dramatic cuts if the automatic cuts, meant to reduce the deficit, are implemented or Congress fails to pass a defense budget.