Tell us about a book or film or work of art that has influenced you.
When my children were young, our favorite book was The Little Engine That Could. As the train climbs to the top of the mountain, powered by its faith in itself, my children would join in reading, "I think I can. I think I can." I would always remind them that they could do anything they set their minds to. That mentality has also come in handy in Congress.
In our annual TIME 100 issue we name the people who most affect our world