A Democrat-controlled Congress would raise America’s minimum wage, redirect tax cuts from the rich to the middle classes and provide them with generous tax breaks for healthcare and tuition, said Nancy Pelosi, the opposition party’s leader in the House of Representatives, on Thursday.

Ms Pelosi, who would become the next speaker if, as opinion polls suggest, the Democrats take control of the House in the November midterm congressional elections, presented a populist economic platform that was long on promises but short on strategy.