WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Restrictions on abortion as well as other steps that Democrats find objectionable are "an important part of this discussion" in talks to avert a looming U.S. government shutdown, an aide to House of Representatives Speaker John Boehner said on Thursday.

"Americans are concerned not just about how much we're spending, but how we're spending it," Boehner spokesman Michael Steel said. "That's why the policy provisions are an important part of this discussion."

(Reporting by Andy Sullivan; Editing by Will Dunham)