WASHINGTON (WPRI) — The Senate is considering the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which outlines defense policy. The House passed its version on July 18.

While the NDAA does not appropriate funds, it sets congressional policy and determines which defense programs are eligible to receive funding through separate appropriations bills.

One of the Democrats' lead negotiators is U.S. Sen. Jack Reed, the ranking member of the U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee.

Reed, D-Rhode Island, said one of the Senate's top priorities in this year’s NDAA is increasing submarine production, which he expects will boost the state's defense job market.

"We're increasing the number of the junior class submarines that we're ordering," Reed said. "We're also looking to the completion in a year or t

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