Your Tax Dollars at Work -- Rescuing a Congressman's Property before People

In the aftermath of Katrina, while people were stranded in flood waters, fighting hunger, disease, and thirst, the Louisianna National Guard was pushing their way into the city -- to take care of Rep William Jefferson's (D-LA) (right)house.

ABC reports Rep Jefferson used National Guard troops to check on his house and rescue personal property. The National Guard says the Congressman originally requested a tour of portions of the city in his District to acess damage. After the 5-ton truck and a half dozen MP rolled out, Rep Jefferson asked them to divert to his house.

Jefferson went in the house for an hour, leaving the troops parked in his yard. He retrieved a computer, three suitcases, and a large box which the troops loaded on the truck.

The truck, by that time, had sunk in his yard and was stuck.

Getting the truck out required tying up a rescue helicopter for 45 minutes and a second truck had to be dispatched to tow the first one out.

This isn't the first time the government has retrieved belongings from Congressman Jefferson's home. Back in August, federal agents raided the Congressman's home in a probe linked to his brother-in-law's recent mail fraud conviction. (ABC)