Senate to vote on hitting North Korea with tougher sanctions

WASHINGTON – The Senate is considering legislation to hit North Korea with more stringent sanctions.

The bill that senators are scheduled to vote on Wednesday comes in the wake of Pyongyang's satellite launch a few days ago and technical advances U.S. intelligence agencies say the reclusive Asian nation is making in its nuclear weapons program.

The bill's backers say it targets North Korea's ability to access the money it needs for developing miniaturized nuclear warheads and the long-range missiles to deliver them. That's according to the legislation's backers.

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell says North Korea's "belligerence" can't be ignored.

The House overwhelmingly approved a similar measure last month. There is strong bipartisan support in the Senate for the North Korea Sanctions and Policy Enhancement Act.