Upon leaving the Air Force in 1989, she became Director for European Defense Policy and Arms Control on the National Security Council. She founded Keystone International, Inc. in 1991 to promote business development in the United States and Russia. Wilson was elected to the House in 1998, the first woman to represent New Mexico since Georgia Lusk. She was also the first female veteran to be elected to Congress. In the House, she serves on the Energy and Commerce Committee and the Armed Services Committee.