The U.S. is expected to present a draft resolution to the council Tuesday, after reaching agreement with China following three weeks of deliberations on how to respond to the North's third atomic test, U.N. diplomats said.

That's a sign of Beijing's disapproval of its troublesome ally's behavior and will be welcomed in Washington. The text of the resolution has not been made public, but there has been speculation the U.N.'s most powerful body could move to toughen financial restrictions and cargo inspections, as well as blacklisting more companies and individuals.

In the meantime, the foreign affairs panels of both houses of Congress will consider the Obama administration's next policy options to impede Pyongyang's development of missile and nuclear weapons that are increasingly viewed as a direct threat to the United States.

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