Democrats who campaigned successfully last year against a “culture of corruption” in the Republican-controlled Congress found themselves one-upped today when more than 30 of their own members voted for a GOP motion to strengthen the package.

By 228-192, the House adopted a motion by Lamar Smith, R-Texas, to recommit the first of two lobbying bills — a measure requiring quarterly disclosure by lobbyists of bundled contributions to candidates and party units — to broaden the disclosure requirement to cover bundled donations to other PACs as well.

After that GOP victory, members of both parties coalesced to pass the bundling bill (HR 2317) by 382-37.

At a closed-door party caucus meeting Thursday morning, Democratic leaders pressed their restless rank-and-file members to vote for the pair of bills so the party could claim a victory on a key ethics issue before they leave for a week-long Memorial Day recess.

The leadership and other veteran House Democrats have taken a beating in recent days in newspaper editorials, talk radio shows and Internet blogs for backing away from tougher ethics measures. House Republicans have been hammering them as well, and are relishing the chance to create mischief on the House floor.