Iowa lawmakers were expected to vote late Tuesday night on a bill restricting abortion.

The measure would prohibit abortion after a fetal heartbeat can be detected. That is generally considered to be around six weeks of pregnancy. The bill includes exceptions for pregnancies caused by rape and incest or in cases where the mother’s life would be in jeopardy if the pregnancy continues.

The Senate began debate at 4 p.m. Tuesday, according to state Sen. Tim Kraayenbrink, R-Fort Dodge. The chamber’s Democrats went into a private meeting called a caucus, so there was a halt to the proceedings around 8:30 p.m.

Kraayenbrink said the Senate would vote on the bill at 11 p.m. Tuesday.

“I’m sure it will pass,” he said.

The House of Representatives was in the middle of debate over the bill at 8:30 p.m. State Rep. Ann Meyer, R-Fort Dodge, said she expected the debate to go until about 10 p.m. before the House voted.