New pay rates were released in the Federal Register on Tuesday, which included a 2.5 percent raise for members of Congress.

That boosts the salary for most senators and representatives to $169,300, about $4,000 more than they were bringing home last year.

The raise was tucked into an appropriations bill and was never voted on separately. That infuriates Utah Democratic Rep. Jim Matheson, who is one of the leading critics of the "secretive" cost-of-living increases.

"You sit down and you read that appropriations bill and you won't see it in there," Matheson said Wednesday. "All I know is when that bill passes, the pay raise happens."

Matheson isn't against Congressional pay raises, but he said they shouldn't be automatic and he doesn't think members should take one now.

"At a time when our economy is not doing too well and a lot of people are feeling the pinch, I just wonder if Congress ought to be doing this now," he said.

Congress did not receive a pay raise last year, which was the first time since 1999. Matheson will donate the additional $4,000 in $250 increments to Utah charities, though he will accept the money next year, as is his custom.

The president, who earns $400,000, did not receive a raise, but the vice president did. Vice President Dick Cheney now earns $221,100, about $5,000 more than last year. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi will get a $5,400 raise, which will boost her pay to $217,400. The majority and minority leaders of the House and Senate will get increases from $183,500 to $188,100.

mcanham@sltrib.com

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* THE ASSOCIATED PRESS contributed to this report.