Quintus Hortensius
Manilius' bill was opposed by Quintus Hortensius and Quintus Lutatius Catulus. Crucially, however, it was supported by several eminent ex-consuls (unlike the "lex Gabinia", which had been almost universally opposed by the Senate), as a result of which it passed unanimously in the "comitia tributa." These ex-consuls included Servilius Vatia Isauricus, Gaius Scribonius Curio, Gaius Cassius Longinus, and Gnaeus Cornelius Lentulus Clodianus. It was also supported by Cicero, at the time serving as praetor, in his extant speech "pro lege Manilia" (also known as "de Imperio Cn. Pompei").