The government is to unveil its long-awaited plans for a mostly elected House of Lords later, in the face of a possible rebellion by Conservative MPs.
The cabinet agreed on Tuesday to push for 80% of the house to be chosen by voters. The number of peers is also expected to be almost halved from 800.
Many Tory MPs believe constitutional change should not be a priority and up to 100 are expected to oppose the bill.
Labour is backing change, despite opposition from some of its MPs.
Changes to the Lords were promised by all three main parties at the last general election, but Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg and his fellow Liberal Democrats are seen as the main driving force behind the coalition government's plans.
The plans, to be outlined in the House of Commons at about 12:30 BST, are expected to involve cutting the number of peers from around 800 to 450, with 80% elected.
'Rival chamber'Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg, who is also Liberal Democrat leader, is the driving force behind Lords changes, which will also see the number of peers reduced to 450 from 800.
The reduced number has been raised from a previous target of 300, after a committee of MPs suggested this might make Parliament's second chamber too small to do its job of scrutinising legislation properly.
But some opponents, including many on the Conservative benches, argue that this could undermine the supremacy of the Commons by creating a rival chamber.
Mr Clegg outlined his plans at Tuesday's cabinet meeting, with 16 ministers speaking in favour, Prime Minister David Cameron's spokesman said.
They included the leader of the House of Lords, Lord Strathclyde, Justice Secretary Kenneth Clarke and Communities Secretary Eric Pickles.
The spokesman added: "We will be setting out reforms for a mainly elected House of Lords that is significantly smaller than the House of Lords at present, where the first elections should be held in May 2015 and where the primacy of the House of Commons will be maintained.
"There was very strong support for the reforms around the cabinet table."
Second readingAfter being tabled on Wednesday, the bill is expected to receive a second reading in the House of Commons before MPs rise for the summer recess on 17 July. Ministers aim to complete its passage on to the statute book by May next year.
Conservative MP Penny Mordaunt told the BBC that even colleagues who had never voted against the government were "considering doing it on this issue".
However, the prime minister's spokesman said Conservative MPs would not be released from the requirements of party discipline and allowed to vote with their consciences.
Labour leader Ed Miliband is also said to be facing a revolt from some of his most senior MPs over his support for changes to the Lords, with a number of senior MPs, including former Home Secretary David Blunkett, openly criticising the decision.
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