Quintus Hortensius
Unlike the "lex Gabinia" of the previous year, which had been almost universally opposed in the Senate, Manilius' proposal was supported by many senators and several eminent ex-consuls. These included Publius Servilius Vatia Isauricus (consul 79 BC), Gaius Scribonius Curio, Gaius Cassius Longinus Varus (consul 73 BC), and Gnaeus Cornelius Lentulus Clodianus (consul 72 BC). The proposal was also supported by Cicero, at the time serving as praetor, in his extant speech "De Imperio Cn. Pompei". Opposition to the law was largely confined to Quintus Hortensius and Quintus Lutatius Catulus, whose arguments against granting Pompey the command are addressed at length by Cicero in his speech.