The U.S. Congress has passed a bill that sets aside a maximum of five million dollars for costs related to dismantling North Korea's nuclear program.

The U.S. House passed the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2008 on Thursday after consulting with the Senate.

The earmarked funds are separate from the 106 million dollars the U.S. administration earlier requested for aid to North Korea as part of the six-party process.

The new budget is noteworthy in that it sets targets for nuclear dismantlement.

The bill also included an expression of full support for the six-party process, praising top U.S. negotiator Christopher Hill on his role in talks with North Korea.

The bill passed a House-Senate coordination panel last week and is likely to receive Senate approval as early as this weekend.