Final answer:
The subject of the First Amendment sentence is Congress, which is prohibited from making laws that would infringe upon freedoms of religion, speech, press, assembly, and petitioning the government.
Step-by-step explanation:
The subject of the sentence in the First Amendment is Congress. The First Amendment is an essential part of the Bill of Rights and serves as a cornerstone of American liberties. It restricts Congress from making laws that impinge upon the freedom of religion, speech, press, assembly, and the right to petition. The First Amendment embodies the principles of religious freedom, free speech, and the protection of the rights to dissent and express unpopular views. One of the amendment's fundamental attributes is the idea that the government should not establish or favor any religion, nor should it curtail the free exercise of any religion.
Through its rulings, such as in Gitlow v. New York, the U.S. Supreme Court has affirmed that First Amendment protections also apply to the states via the Fourteenth Amendment. These protections ensure robust and uninhibited discussions on controversial subjects, safeguarding democracy and individual liberties. Moreover, these protections have been reaffirmed in pivotal Supreme Court decisions, such as New York Times Co. v. Sullivan, highlighting the amendment's role in fostering an open debate even when views expressed are unpopular.